Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Senator McDowell has acknowledged that there is no difference in objective in terms of removing those on the minimum wage from the tax net. It is a priority in the new partnership agreement. The only question is how quickly it can be done. Tax levels on those on low incomes compare favourably with those pertaining in other European Union countries, although that is not an argument for not moving as quickly as possible in the direction outlined by the Senator.

I understand the Minister has managed to keep the threshold of the minimum income removed from the tax net at 90%. The budget this year is very tight. There is also the need to fund essential services, for which Senator McDowell and the rest of us argue every day. In all the circumstances, the Minister has done the best he can on this occasion.