Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The point I am making is that we should not think economic growth alone will solve all our problems. We are actually showing some economic growth - approximately 1% - but the majority of the population is witnessing a decline in living standards. An unbelievable number of young people are out of work. The fact that we have some economic growth, which is driven by multinationals that pay very little tax here, does not solve the problems of the people who live here. Does the Minister not agree with that? Too much of the Government's thinking is driven by the idea that it is all about money and not people. We are prepared to go to the ends of the earth, and the ends of human decency, to make those who cannot afford to do so pay what amounts to a paltry sum in the overall scheme of things. At the same time, billionaires and multinational corporations are remaining untouchable and doing as they please.

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