David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is coming across as very reasonable indeed. There is a dialogue going on and that is very valuable. There are people at a critical stage and we all recognise that. The Minister has indicated the sensitivities in this area as well. There are people who have a certain amount of money. Then there are people who have a great deal of money, apparently. I gather the Prada handbags in Brown Thomas are floating out the door and the agents have taken over neighbouring stands previously occupied by Cartier. However, for the people in the middle and the people who are concerned, worried and upset I believe there is a genuine psychological fear. There is a palpable fear in the country and people feel it. They maybe on some form of dry land now but they feel they are getting quite close to a cliff and they can feel an abyss opening up. We have all felt this type of sensation at some time. The Government will have to get the reasonable attitude the Minister has been displaying here during the debate out into the public mind to reassure them. Clearly, he has attempted to protect people who cannot pay.

I am unsure about all the methods and I do not like post-mortem taxes. I thought at least if one died one could get away from tax. The real problem is a psychological problem of terror. This is a real fear. It may not be a justifiable or justified fear but people are afraid. People are afraid they will not have the capital if something happens to the roof. They must pay ¤300 in this case but it is a cumulative effect because there are so many demands. All of us are encountering different demands all the time because of different cuts, nicks, bites and so on. It is a psychological condition for people who may have the money and who might in most circumstances be prepared to pay but there is a feeling of terror. The reasonable attitude of the Minister might help to address that.