Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

The economic impact of Covid has been shouldered overwhelmingly by ordinary workers and young people, lower paid workers in particular, while a tiny elite of billionaires have actually profited greatly. New figures from Forbes show that the wealth of billionaires increased by more than 60% during the pandemic. Denis O'Brien, owner of the Beacon Hospital and much more, is now €1.4 billion richer than a year ago. His wealth has increased by €4 million every day in the last year but we still have no wealth tax on millionaires in this country. Even the IMF has now called for wealth taxes. The Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, has called for a solidarity tax. Does the Taoiseach agree that we now need to introduce a wealth tax on the super-rich in this country to raise money that could be invested in an eco-socialist green new deal to invest in green jobs, education and an Irish NHS? Billionaires are not essential workers; public services and climate action are essential.

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