Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

It is not the case to say that some inflation is caused by forces outside our control. Looking at the inflation we have gone through in recent years most of it has been caused by issues outside of our control. What has happened with the cost of food and energy has been cause by the awful war on the people of Ukraine and the huge changes that have happened in supply chains and the way goods are supplied across the world after the pandemic.

I accept there are issues that definitely contribute to the cost of living and that develop within our own economy. However, I make the case that if we accept that corporate tax receipts are absolutely at risk, because of the global issues we now confronting and that have not been raised yet in the Dáil today but which we discussed at the finance committee last night, it would not be proper for me to use receipts and money I know may not be permanent to fund measures that could become permanent.

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