Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----the fact that the amendment Bill could not be debated in the House in a proper fashion is regrettable.

Like the Government, Sinn Féin and other Opposition groups, Fianna Fáil has already commenced work on our proposals for budget 2014. These will be published in advance of the mid-October budget to be introduced by the Minister.

The timing of the introduction of this Sinn Féin Bill has the hallmarks of a policy motivated by political opportunism and a desire to stem the slide in support for Sinn Féin, as reflected in both the national opinion polls and the recent Meath East by-election. This brings me to the issue of the wealth tax, which has been raised by Deputy Doherty and others tonight. It has been the centrepiece of Sinn Féin's pre-budget submissions for the last two budgets. The party claims it will bring in revenue of approximately €800 million per annum. Sinn Féin launched its proposals last November and said at the time that it was its intention to table a Private Members' motion on the issue at the earliest opportunity. I have not yet seen the details of that.

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