Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it includes people who are above the average rate. Let us be clear and call it what it is. If the Minister wants to introduce a tax measure, he should nail his colours to the mast and be clear that the majority of the tax giveaway in next year's budget will benefit the richest in society. He had no problem doing that with Greece yesterday, when we saw an example of the Minister we have not seen since the days of the hepatitis C scandal. If this is the Minister's agenda, let us call it what it is. He should not dress up the measure as something different. The average personal income in this State in 2014 was €35,000 and the average household was €39,478. This measure will benefit the wealthiest dual income households in the State. Let us call this measure what it is and stop trying to pretend that it will mostly impact middle income earners.

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