Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Indeed, all of the party leaders had been invited but I went and I paid my respects there. This is the list of the categories of workers to which this flat-rate expenses scheme applies. It includes people such as panel beaters, kitchen porters, nurses and members of the Defence Forces, whom we all know are appallingly paid at the lower ranks in any event. The Taoiseach wants to create for these workers an elaborate system for them to vouch and claim very modest reliefs.

Many of these workers will look into this Chamber, will have heard the words of the Taoiseach and will know that many of the expenses enjoyed in this Chamber are not vouched. There is no such elaborate paperwork required. The Taoiseach's answer simply amplifies his position. A very different view is taken of the very rich, the very wealthy, the banks, the billion dollar corporates and the landlords. Landlords claimed an astonishing figure of €45 million in capital allowances and the lion's share of that was claimed for tax reliefs on furniture.

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