Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept what the Minister of State is saying about the spirit of the proposal, which is good. It is, however, something of an excuse to say we do not use the Finance Bill as a reason to prepare reports. I published the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2014. It is on the Order Paper, but it has not been accepted for discussion because I am not part of a group. Senator Paul Bradford and I are at a disadvantage in the House for that reason. We cannot secure time to have the Bill debated. I spoke to many people during the construction of the Bill, including a senior counsel who had a lot of experience in drafting financial Bills. One of the requirements under the Bill would be that two reports be laid before the Houses. One would lay out, mid-year, the financial balance sheet. It is great, yet unbelievable, that the Minister of State can say all of the information is on the Revenue Commissioners' website and that there is a ready reckoner, but I would like the information to be provided here. He knows what my recommendation is and that it refers to the top rate of tax. It would have been nice if he had been able to me what the cost would be in the case of a figure €1,000 at the top rate. He referred to the standard tax rate, but my recommendation refers to the top rate. Such taxpayers are in the squeezed middle and they are being choked. They should definitely be taxed at the standard rate which kicks in at a figure of €32,000 a year. This is ridiculous. I wish I could outline the mortgage one could afford to repay or that one could not afford to spend more than €100 a week on food.

The recommendation is minor. I appreciate that the information is available, but it should be shared in the House and included in the Official Report. I was a member of one of the Government parties when it was elected. We had stood for reform and said we would do things differently and have an open mind. When I was on the other side of the House, we did not have this. I am now in opposition because we did not keep our promises. Let us have an open mind about doing things better. To be fair to the Minister of State, he is probably knocking his head against a block wall with regard to suggestions he may wish to take on board. Just because something was not done in a certain way does not mean things should not change and be done better. Therefore, I am disappointed. Would it not be great if, before St. Patrick's Day, we could say a new report had been laid before the Houses and that a debate would be held on it? We will not hear about the budget again until next September, even though we should have a debate in March and another in June. The practice could be changed.