Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Mar is eol don Tánaiste, an t-am ba mheasa ina raibh an imirice ná sna 50í nuair a bhí Fine Gael agus an Lucht Oibre i rialtas le chéile. The Tánaiste has said that income tax is up year on year, and that is because of the universal service charge that he was going to abolish or reduce. Income tax returns are up, but Exchequer returns spell out month after month that the reason they are up is the USC.

The Tánaiste states that the jobs initiative has been successful, and I am very interested to hear that. As he is privy to information, can he give me the increase in total employment in the economy over the last three months? If the Tánaiste has that information, it would be a good idea to share it with the House. If he does not, I wonder how he can tell me the job initiative is successful when all the figures point to exactly the opposite.

Yes, the commentary about Ireland is good. Why is it good?

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