Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Government is planning on providing people with less assistance than it did last year. Despite its little spat with the financial advisory council, the Government, the council and the entire bourgeoisie are united in telling people to lower expectations and to prepare for another drop in living standards. Listen to what the Minister for Finance said yesterday.

Here is a final point, while I am at it. Thirteen years ago, a Fianna Fáil finance Minister introduced the hated universal social charge. It should not be called the USC; it should be called the HUSC - because that is what people call it - the hated universal social charge.

Seven years ago the Taoiseach made the pledge that was subsequently broken. I referred to that earlier. Now the Government is talking about cutting it next month. The Minister must read the room, and should read the polls while he is at it. The people do not want it cut. They want it gone; abolished. The income loss to the State could be made up by taxing wealth, something that the Minister and the Government consistently refuse to do. A 10% higher income social charge on individuals earning €90,000 or more per year could make up more than half the lost ground. A socialist government would do it. Over to the Minister, what does he say on the issue?

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