Joe O'Toole (Independent)

We are within a month of the budget and the Estimates will shortly be published. This will set the tone of taxation for the next year. Whatever people think of taxation, tax breaks and the importance of having an attractive tax regime, the idea that people who earn millions pay no tax at all is utterly unacceptable to ordinary people around the country. People should not be able to write off their entire tax obligation against tax breaks. This is wrong and should not be allowed. There should be a minimum amount below which people cannot drop. Some people pay no tax at all because of tax breaks. Since this information became available, there has been much misunderstanding as to why it should be the case. This inequity is unfair and we should deal with it.

People with big jets, large amounts of money and residences abroad play ducks and drakes with the residency rule. Certain people who earn millions and pay no tax in this country are often presented as model employers. Some of them are able to claim non-residency on the basis they are out of the country at night because this is counted as a non-day in Ireland. I have no problem with non-residency rules and tax breaks but if somebody is in the country for any portion of any day, it is a day. Anybody who earns millions should pay some form of tax.