Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. I agree. Fianna Fáil is good for something at last. I very much challenge the notion of progressivity. Our system of taxation has become much more progressive and fairer.

One of the reasons I was looking at my iPad and phone was to source material. I was not being ungracious and I was listening avidly as I always do. Last year Senator Reilly stated she was against the reductions in child benefit so I presumed that in this year's budget, which she told us about, she would reinstate it. I went looking but there is no sign of it. Senator Reilly and my good friends in Fianna Fáil told us they were in favour of the 9% VAT rate as it was good for tourism and The Gathering.