Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

When the Government which consisted of Deputies from Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats, the Fianna Fáil gene pool and Deputy Lowry introduced this tax, it should have been honest with people and called it the "universal anti-social charge". Like many of those present, I canvassed at doorsteps during the recent general election campaign and this was one of the main issues about which the people of Dublin South-Central were boiling mad. The universal social charge must be one of the most hated measures to have been introduced by any Government. The people of my constituency have no problem paying their taxes - they are prepared to do so - but they think everybody else should be doing likewise. It is incredible that the wealthy pay taxes in America, the most capitalist country in the world, whereas the wealthy in this country are protected by Government policies. I have to say that although I support the call for the abolition of this charge, I find nothing progressive in the health and income levies. I would be absolutely opposed to their reintroduction, particularly as far as those on low and moderate incomes are concerned.

We have choices to make when we seek alternatives to the universal anti-social charge and the cuts in welfare payments. I suggest we choose to make the very wealthy pay for the crisis caused by their greed. This could be done by introducing a wealth tax. Such a tax would raise €1 billion at a rate of 1%. The tax exile status of wealthy individuals is a scandalous joke that should be brought to an end. It is an insult that someone like Denis O'Brien who became ridiculously wealthy as a result of a contract awarded by the State in dubious circumstances - we discussed that matter earlier - does not pay a red cent towards the health service or our children's education. He has no problem with paying 50% of the inflated salary of a football manager as long as he is not asked to contribute to the society from which his massive wealth derives.

We could have a third, higher tax rate that would apply to individual incomes of more than €100,000. We could cap all public service and public sector salaries at €100,000 a year. When the question of making the wealthy pay is raised, the Establishment, those involved in politics and the business community, argue that it cannot be done. They say it would cost jobs and prevent talent from being attracted. In other words, they say "hands off the wealthy". They think it is okay to tax people on very low incomes as long as the wealthy are not touched. They are concerned about their friends - the people with whom they play golf, go for exclusive dinners and share the Galway tent. The political establishment can continue to defend the indefensible, but I am not here to represent the rich. With my colleagues in the United Left Alliance, I am here to fight for the interests of working people. We will fight for the reversal of every cut and tax increase that affects people on low and moderate incomes.

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