Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That must be examined. We all grew up watching the TV sponger advertisements on the television and the threat of the van outside one's door. I remember those advertisements well. It is an issue we must consider. I agree that we should invite the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Lombard raised incineration and the Indaver application. During the oral hearing last year the Air Corps made a presentation on the flight path to Haulbowline and the location of this incinerator. There is a huge need to allay the safety concerns that were expressed at that hearing. In addition, if there is any doubt regarding the safety of Air Corps personnel or of any aircraft flying overhead, the application should be refused. I hope An Bord Pleanála, which is diligent in its assessment of the information, will reject the application.

To reply to Senator Swanick, I do not have a date for the sale of alcohol Bill. My most recent information is that it is with the Office of the Attorney General where it is undergoing scrutiny. However, I will refer back to the Senator on it.

Senator Gavan spoke about ICTU and income inequality. I accept that we need income equality and that we must raise people out of poverty. However, 140,000 taxpayers are paying more than 45% of the income tax and USC yield. That is €9 billion in cash and 18% of all tax collected. The top ten corporate taxpayers are paying €3 billion. As a nation, we are reliant on €1 out of every €4 collected in taxes. I remind the Senator that the last Government and this Government increased the minimum wage and took many people out of the universal social charge net. Now, people earning up €13,000 are paying no universal social charge, a third of earners are paying no income tax and 30% are paying no income tax or universal social charge. The most recent CSO figures show that annual disposable income increased by 6.2% in 2015 and that income is being more equally distributed in the country. Finally, 920,700 people are exempt from paying income tax. That includes the unemployed and pensioners. The question we should debate, which some members of the Senator's party oppose, is how we can increase the tax base whereby we can pay for services.