Seanad debates

Saturday, 29 January 2011

Finance Bill 2011 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

1:00 pm

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

This House is not conducted like an opinion poll, as it is a deliberative assembly. My point is that, as far as there is an injustice, this income is already taxed by the income levy and the question is whether the imposition of the increased amount reflective of the health levy amounts to an injustice. We must raise this money and the question is whether - all must learn this lesson - there is a way to raise it from the pensions sector in a more equitable way. All I have said is that I am open to persuasion in that regard. Therefore, I would be open to an amendment were such discussions to eventuate in such an outcome.

The State has been obliged to move very rapidly to deal with a very severe crisis since last September. All I am saying is that it is not necessarily a good idea to have a general election in the middle of the crisis to sate the appetites of the political classes who read opinion polls every week or two. It would have been better for the country-----

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