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

With inflation, the increase in spending on public services that the Minister mentioned will actually amount to a decrease of 1% in real terms, according to the estimate of economists. Ireland would have to increase public investment by €2 billion to come up to the EU average. With regard to wealth, 10% of the top earners own 30% of the wealth in this country, while 1% owns 20%. There is, therefore, a massive discrepancy in wealth in this country. From 2006 to 2013, which includes some time under the Minister's watch, taxes on capital have plummeted. There is a conscious policy not to tax those who have wealth and those who control wealth. For example, a 10% increase on the top 10% of earners could bring in €2.6 billion. A 1% increase in corporation tax-----

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