Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I agree with Deputy Lynch. In light of the type of discussion we have had today, I was astonished to hear the outburst of the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan. He made a cheap effort to score points in the Chamber through the complete and utter misrepresentation of what I said. He needs to clean out his ears, listen to what I have to say and represent it properly. I did not say people on low incomes should not get bonuses. I did not say they should not be exempt from the imposition of the universal social charge on their bonuses. That is not what I said. I said clearly that it should be income-linked. I suggested that the cut-off point should be twice the average national wage. Perhaps the Minister thinks low-income women working in call centres earn in excess of €67,000. In my book, that is not what low-income workers are paid. I said specifically that this provision should be "income-linked". I genuinely believe everyone in this House is trying to achieve the same position. I was not trying to score a political point or get a media headline. I acknowledge that there is some kind of cap on bonuses at this time. The Minister accepted in his contribution that bonuses will continue to be paid. Is he telling me that those working in the call centres of the guaranteed banks will not get their bonuses? Of course they will get their bonuses. Payments in addition to salaries will continue to be made to certain people who work in the guaranteed banks. That is a fact.

Deputy Kathleen Lynch made a valid point when she said certain people will try to drive a horse and carriage through this measure. Under this measure, if the bonuses that have been on the table since 2008 are paid at a level of €19,999, they will not be subject to the universal social charge or the 90% tax rate. If I am wrong, the Minister should say so. I said earlier that none of us is infallible. This amendment was thrown to us a couple of hours ago. We have not had enough time to scrutinise it properly. Am I wrong when I suggest that the universal social charge will not apply to the bonuses which are due to be paid to senior officials in the banks if they are reduced to a level of €19,999? The Minister should place a correction on the record of the House and apologise to me. I said they should be "income-linked". The suggestion that I want to take away the bonuses of low-income workers is an appalling attack, a misrepresentation and a mistruth on the part of the Minister for Finance.

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