Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

The spring economic statement is a continuation of the flawed policy of diminishing public expenditure and the public sector and shifting wealth away from workers. How will the Government get more teachers, nurses and so on by cutting public spending? I am in favour of a restoration of public spending, but I am also in favour of taxing the wealthy. In the previous answer, the Minister made reference to the fact that there is no wealth there to tax. The Denis O'Briens, the top 1%, have seen their wealth increase dramatically in the last few years. Regarding the impact this will have, the Government is proposing to cut taxes by €650 million to €750 million in the hope of winning the general election. However, it is likely that this would be through tax relief rather than through getting rid of the universal social charge-----

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