Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

The PRSI ceiling is on the way out and higher earners pay more. Also, as I mentioned this morning, Deputies and local authority members are taking a cut in their pay, along with Ministers. Many people did not seem to be aware of this. I suggest that if parties cannot put forward a credible amendment that would ensure money is saved somewhere, they should explain from where the money will come, particularly when they do not wish to increase tax. Do they still agree that a saving of €6 billion must be made? If so, they should ensure they put forward proposals that will demonstrate how the more vulnerable will pay less. We need to ensure that. Both the Labour Party and Sinn Féin have said they oppose welfare cuts and while I disagree we can make the full savings required if we take that perspective, at least those parties are being true to their proposals. However, with regard to Fine Gael, it cannot have it both ways.

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