John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I want to bring some balance to this. I welcome the provisions in the Bill, for instance, the extension of the fuel rebate to the licensed transport hauliers. This protects thousands of jobs around the country and enables and supports the tourism sector and helps the growth for which we all yearn. I also support the changes in the SME sector and the farming sector in the transfer of lands and consolidation of farms. The latter will facilitate farmers. It will encourage the transfer of land to younger farmers to allow them consolidate their farms and be more efficient and productive.

I note two small provisions that may not bring in a great deal of revenue this year, the relief of universal social charge for those over 70 years on high earnings and the increase for those on over €100,000 on self-employed pensions. The way to go in future budgets and finance Bills must be that more of the pain is taken by the high-income earners.

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