Mary White (Fianna Fail)

Do Senators not accept the ESRI's analysis which expects a 2.5% drop in the income of poorer households? There are also the reductions in the amounts payable under the rent supplement scheme and the increases in VAT and carbon taxes. If Senators want to say all this did not happen they are welcome.

We all know, as does anybody who knows the most minimal amount of economics, that regressive taxes most affect the poorest people. Income tax is far better. I am glad the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, is back in the Chamber.