Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Boyd Barrett responds to what I said. Deputy Paul Murphy comes in here and reads out a script that was written a decade ago. Look at what the Government announced yesterday - €4 billion worth of investment in the future - on top of last year's budget which led to record levels of investment in our future. Look at the employment wage subsidy scheme where the State is standing absolutely behind Irish workers and full-square behind Irish employers to maintain jobs and maintain income at exactly the time at which that help is needed most.

The two political parties represented by the two Deputies today are in favour of tackling the climate crisis but they are against any changes in carbon pricing. They want higher spending and higher investment in housing but they are against any changes in the local property tax. The kind of politics we are seeing here this morning that I expect to see more of in the coming weeks, months and years is for nothing. It is against everything.

The measure that the Government is bringing forward is looking to broaden the local property tax base so that all homes are taxed fairly. We are making changes in relation to the way in which the bands are structured and the rate is delivered to do all we can to ensure that the bill that will be presented to homeowners across January and February next year is as fair and affordable as possible.

I am aware of all the challenges homeowners and citizens face at present but that is why we brought in all the measures that we announced yesterday to help guide our country through this crisis. I am certain if I was to bring in some of the measures the Deputies are looking for and have just called for, they would find some reasons for opposing them as well.

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