Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I express my support for this proposal. I cannot see any way we can justify levying a tax on a property where the owner might be in negative equity and the asset might be worthless. It simply compounds his or her nightmare. I have dealt with a sufficient number of people who are in that position to know that we must address the issue. If we remove taxes on people who are in negative equity or have lower levels of value in their homes, we will have to seek to obtain more from people with greater wealth, be it in their homes or other forms of wealth such as stocks and shares. However, I am prepared to champion such a move towards greater fairness and strongly suggest there be a debate in the House to consider it. I ask the Leader to facilitate such a debate.

I welcome the report from the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, today. Unfortunately, it states approximately one quarter of Irish households are economically inactive. I do not welcome this aspect, but the fact that the author of the report, Dr. Helen Johnson, has welcomed moves by the Government to try to address some of the structural issues faced by people who find themselves in that position. It is unfortunate that at the height of the Celtic tiger economy Ireland had the second highest rate of economically inactive households in the European Union. Dr. Johnson has highlighted, in particular, changes the Government is making to the rent supplement system and the introduction of the Intreo offices as positive steps in the right direction. However, I agree with Senator Paschal Mooney and call for the Minister for Social Protection to be invited to the House in early course to discuss the NESC report and the position of single parents.

On a positive note, I welcome the introduction of the Leap card deal for tourists, which will give tourists 72 hours of travel in the Dublin region for €19.50.

It is a great idea. I cannot understand why we did not do it years ago and hope it will be rolled out quickly to other parts of the tourism industry.

My final comment is directed at those who have advocated that, as a nation, we should default on our debts. I bring to their attention the fact that Argentina is experiencing problems in paying the next tranche of its debts which falls due for payment at the end of the month. Because it defaulted in 2002 it has been unable to access the capital markets and its economy is in serious trouble. We should take on board this salutary lesson.