Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The latest Central Statistics Office, CSO, data show a massive discrepancy in disposable income between Dublin and the south west versus the Border areas, the midlands and the south east. In fact, for Dublin and the south west, the figures are 20% and 4% above the average, respectively, while the figure for the south east and the midlands is minus 20%. There is a 40% difference, therefore, in disposable income, which might be related to the representation in the Cabinet. Is the Tánaiste aware of these numbers and is he going to try to effect some policy to change this in the upcoming budget?

See this speech in context