Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

I agree with most of what Deputy Clare Daly said. I agree 100% with the Minister that we should not tolerate fraud. If there is fraud, the problem should be addressed.

I reiterate a point I made in the House last week. Interesting research was carried out in Britain in 2009 where it was discovered that between £1.5 billion and £2 billion was lost in welfare fraud. It was also found that tax evasion, tax loopholes and the use of offshore accounts had cost the Exchequer £80 billion, from the top end of business. Neither form of fraud should be tolerated. I know from experience that if workers collect dole while working and cheat the system, it is demoralising for guys who are in work. Likewise it is demoralising for the State to see the richest people in our society not carrying their fair share and cheating the system in a very sophisticated way.

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