Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I support the several calls made for a pre-budget debate, particularly given that the European Commission is prepared to consider allowing us an additional year to adjust our fiscal position. That does not mean, however, that we can avoid an adjustment of €4 billion. Our tax returns indicate a further shortfall of €2 billion this year. We need to have a debate that seems to be ongoing at a meeting in Government Buildings about the balance of that adjustment in respect of public expenditure cuts and taxation measures. I am confident there will be additional taxation measures. There must be. I do not support the suggestions made in some parts of the media that if those on high incomes were taxed too much, they would leave. That sends the wrong message, that those who cannot leave the country must bear a disproportionate share of the burden. We need to have that debate, particularly in the structural terms Senator Harris indicated. I further call on the Leader to follow up on the calls made by several Members to have the social partners present in the Chamber for this debate to help elucidate on how we should deal with these issues in the medium and long term. We know there is a possibility of overcoming the budget deficit by 2014 rather than 2013 and these questions must be raised. Those members of our society and economy who are prominent in addressing these issues should be brought before the House to help in such a debate.