Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Táim díreach chun insint leis an Seanadóir má fhanann sí soicind. Mhol Sinn Féin rud nár thóg an Rialtas san áireamh inné go gcuirfaí cáin mhaoine ar ráta 48% orthu siúd atá ag saothrú os cionn €100,000 agus mhol muid cáin mhaoine 1% orthu siúd a bhfuil sealúchas os cionn €1 milliún acu. Sin dhá rud go bhféadfadh an Rialtas seo a chur i bhfeidhm ach níor ghlac sé an rogha sin. Sin an difríocht idir na Seanadóirí ar an taobh sin Tí agus muidne. Is dócha go mbeadh éagsúlacht idir sinn agus an páirtí eile atá lenár dtaobh anseo ar an gceist sin ach bhí roghanna eile ann agus níor ghlac an Rialtas na roghanna sin. Tá sé ag tógáil rogha, agus seo an fhadhb bhunúsach atá againn leis an chuid seo den Acht, a chuireann an t-ualach anuas scun scan ar gach duine, orthu siúd nach bhfuil in ann a íoc agus orthu siúd atá breá ábalta a íoc agus b'fhéidir níos mó ná sin a íoc. Níl sin ceart agus níl sin cóir. It is important to state that Sinn Féin is opposed to the flat rate tax, which is inequitable. This was stated previously by the Labour Party. Our amendment No. 6 is related.

When we discussed the waste water Bill we saw that this Minister, apparently, likes to have carte blanche regarding fees. The Bill states the fee will be €100. If we do not accept these amendments, we are giving carte blanche to the Minister to change that fee in the future. If we take past experience on these issues, for example, in regard to the plastic bag levy, charges have increased over time, as could this charge. It is already too much for those who cannot afford it. There should have been a much more equitable way of approaching this issue.

We do not agree to the flat rate tax. As a damage limitation measure, we are supporting the amendment put forward by Fianna Fáil that the fee should not go over €100. The Minister should not be given carte blanche to change this without coming back to the Houses of the Oireachtas, which is what we suggested in amendment No. 6.

I am not sure what is meant by the term "relatively modest". I would like the Government to explain to what is meant by "relative". Is it relative to a pensioner in Connemara or a person on social welfare-----