Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Irish taxation system is one of the more progressive, globally. Those who earn the most, pay the most. The overall taxation framework in Germany is much more onerous than is the case here if one takes all the social insurance and contributions that have to be made into account. The Deputy is not comparing like with like there. If he is advocating that we leave the EU, I disagree with him. We have to work for a stronger EU into the future in the context of global challenges, the most recent being the cybersecurity attack on the country and its health service. Whether it is climate change, energy efficiency or working together, if we work collectively with others, Europe will provide us with the most effective way out. There is also, of course, the trading and selling of goods and services into a huge market, which is significant for Irish companies. They create jobs by selling the goods they make and services they provide into that market.

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