Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before the summer break I asked the Leader if we could have a debate on equality and I reiterate that call this morning. The budget is one week away and this afternoon I have arranged for representatives of TASC, the Think-tank for action on Social Change, to give a presentation at 2 o’clock. Each year it produces an excellent report on equality based on the Government’s statistics. One of its most frightening findings this year is that the top 1% of earners in the country now take in just under 40% of all income. Therefore the gap between rich and poor is increasing rapidly and equality unfortunately is decreasing.

At a meeting with TASC over the summer I was struck by something Fergus Finlay said. He said that he would love if every Deputy and Senator could take the time to look at its 2016 report. That is why I facilitated the meeting. I remind people to come along at 2 o’clock or else send somebody from their office. It is a vital report that informs us about what is wrong in society today. We could all benefit from that.