Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach is not very convincing on this issue of fairness. Yesterday, the Government had the opportunity to relieve the burden on long-suffering families by getting rid of water charges, the family home tax - the property tax - and taking the lowest paid workers out of the tax net. However, it decided not to do any of this. Instead, the Taoiseach put his own very conservative interests and electoral ambitions before the interests of the people. His budget lacks ambition, vision and inclusivity. He does not deal with the crisis in employment, health or housing. Half a million people have been forced to emigrate in the past eight years, at huge human cost to society, communities and families. However, the Government did not deal with this. There is no fairness in its budget. There is not even the pretence in the Taoiseach’s answers or his Minister’s statements yesterday to deal with citizens on the basis of equality. That is why he is not convincing in responding to these questions.

One in seven people is at risk of poverty. One in four lives in a jobless household. The people concerned cannot afford to pay the Government’s water charges or property tax. Even middle income workers whom the Taoiseach claims will benefit from the budget will have their modest benefits offset completely by the upcoming water charges. The Taoiseach will be four times better off than a married couple with an income of €35,000. That is the truth of the matter. That is his choice, as well as the Labour Party’s. He cannot blame anyone else. Does he believe it is fair that he will be four times better off than a married couple earning €35,000?

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