Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

How does the Taoiseach justify refusing to impose a progressive taxation on this super-wealth when the increase of €5 billion in one year dwarfs the €3.7 billion he is imposing in cuts this year to pay off bankers and bondholders, with devastating consequences for our society, tearing strips from the health service and compromising education? These cuts are causing significant suffering. What is the moral and economic argument? The United Left Alliance has estimated that €5 billion to €10 billion could be raised in taxes on the super wealthy and this survey confirms it. Is it any wonder that decent, ordinary taxpayers are in revolt all over this country, with well over one million householders refusing to pay the household tax?

See this speech in context