Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the Mayo team will win next year if they do not meet the Donegal team again.

The proposals I put forward are serious ones which have been costed. I believe they will stand up to scrutiny. We must achieve a balance between cuts and revenue. The Government's agenda is one of cuts to the income of people who cannot afford them, many of whom are going to the wall. One of the proposals which I put forward today would generate extra revenue through the targeting of people who can afford to pay extra. As per that proposal, people earning €100,000 would pay an extra €1,500 in tax. Surely these people can afford to carry that burden. We should not be targeting cuts to child benefit at people on low incomes and those in receipt of social welfare benefits who cannot afford that hit, or be forcing them into having to go cap in hand to secure an increase. We should be targeting the people who can afford to pay. The Taoiseach should consider and take on board my proposals, thus targeting the people who can afford to pay and protecting those who need our help.

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