Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the contribution from Senator Higgins because the State makes a contribution to people's pensions. At the same time, the Senator is saying that we should remove the tax relief from small business owners and small self-employed people. These individuals are probably the biggest employers in the country. They are small employers but taken together, they represent one huge employer. Senator Higgins is advocating that we should take the tax relief away from those who employ people in circumstances where they have private pensions and avail of tax relief. I cannot support any of the amendments proposed by Senator Higgins.