Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

It was originally supposed to be a social contribution but as the Government decided that it would have to give something back to people if it called it a contribution, it changed the name to "universal social charge". It can be more accurately described as a universal anti-social charge because it will work against social cohesion. It will be socially divisive because it is utterly unfair in its operation. Annex C to the summary of 2011 budget measures states: "The Universal Social Charge merges the existing Health Levy and Income Levy. It is a tax and does not confer a benefit to those paying the charge". In his Budget Statement, the Minister for Finance stated: "Those on the new reduced minimum wage will not be brought into the tax net". It is quite clear that is a lie. It is a lie to say people on the minimum wage will not be brought into the tax net.

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