Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply.

Last year, Greece paid €8 billion to service debts of €350 billion, while Ireland paid €7.5 billion to service debts of €214 billion. Why did it cost us almost as much as Greece to service €100 billion less?

Middle-income earners cannot continue paying 51% or 52% tax. Services have been cut, including those for people with disabilities. Even death grants are not to be had anymore. The European Central Bank lent the money at 0.5% and then started off demanding 5% and 5.5% interest to get the money back. Irish people have paid for 42% of the European banking crisis. Average banking debt across the EU is €192 per person. In Ireland, it is €9,000 per person. The next highest country is Germany at €491 and then Latvia at €317.

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