Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

We have to debate the amendment before us. I take on board what Senator Norris said. The list will have to be refined before it receives further consideration. It will also have to exclude the €75,000 figure.

As has been said, all of us are on reasonably good salaries but significantly less than €75,000. This is an interesting philosophical debate. Everybody aspires to ending poverty in this country and we all know that will happen by getting people back to work. Levies, charges and taxes are difficult burdens on the public but in the overall context of where we find ourselves the household charge is as easy as we can make it. Somebody has to fund the country to pay pensions every week, teachers and people in receipt of social welfare, disability allowance or whatever. We have to be fair.