Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

Yes, I was wrong about that but there are ways to do this. I understand today is the publishing date for the Finance (No. 3) Bill. We can amend the legislation again. That finance Bill will go through this House in about two weeks time. There is a need for at least a statement, if not an amendment today, to the effect that it is the Government's intention within days to include those high net worth individuals in terms of being subject to this levy, whether by way of imposing the levy on ARFs or increasing the imputed tax rate. That must be done at a bare minimum.

This is not about getting at the Labour Party. I know its members do not like to be reminded of this but if we have learned anything from the past, this House cannot vote through a legislative measure that will exempt those people from this levy. It is incredible that a Government could think of doing something like this, particularly given that the Minister said that he is open to the idea of dealing with this issue. Let us deal with it now. Let us avoid all the wrath of public to the effect that the Government is no better than the last shower and all the rest of it.

Let us get this right. I am sure that many, if not all, Government Deputies who will support this legislation who would like to see ARFs subject to this levy. There is scope to do this. I do not know why such provision was omitted in the first place. I thought there was some technical, legal reason that it could not be done. We are legislators, we introduce laws and the Minister has clearly said that this is something he would examine. Today is the day that we should examine it. It should not have been left this late to do so. I appeal to the Minister to listen to the pleas from this side and to include this provision in the Bill.

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