This is amendment No. 13.

We use the mechanism relating to reports because that is the restriction placed on Opposition spokespersons. However, I agree with the Minister that we do not need more reports as we have the data. We have the data that indicates that the 1% in the State, the top earners who earn more than €250,000, some of whom earn far more than €1 million, are availing of massive pension tax reliefs at a cost to the Exchequer that ordinary workers cannot access because they do not have the resources to put into their pension at …

While the Minister defends the issue of gold-plated pensions, I reiterate that 4,200 individuals, all earning more than €300,000 are benefiting from the taxpayer to the tune of €350 million in tax reliefs. Essentially the taxpayer is putting money into their pension pots. I cannot stand over that. There are mechanisms. Yes, they have high incomes and they pay tax at the rate that is set down in law. The question here is how much we should subsidise somebody's pension. In my view, the policy objective should be to e…

I move amendment No. 14: In page 65, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Report on introduction of refundable tax credits to income tax system 24. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the introduction of refundable tax credits to the income tax system, options for their design, associated costs, and impact in addressing social and policy objectives such as reducing in-work poverty.”. This amendment deals with the issue of refu…

Obviously, the policy decision in regard to refundable tax credits requires consideration, which is why we in Sinn Féin have been putting this forward for many years. I am glad to hear the Minister say it warrants further consideration because, again, this is a change in attitude from this Minister, his party and the Government. We have had this debate and I have put forward this type of proposal every year to the Minister and his predecessors, and it has been stood against. It makes sense and that is why it is imp…

I move amendment No. 22: In page 94, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “Report on tax treatment and economic impact of institutional investment in housing market 37. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the tax treatment and economic impact of institutional investors and corporate landlords in the housing market, including their impact on tenure, affordability, property price and rental price dynamics.”. We debated this amend…

I move amendment No. 23: In page 94, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “Report on restricting banks from carrying forward losses 37. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on restricting the banks from carrying forward losses against taxable profits in a manner which could result in many institutions paying no corporation tax for the foreseeable future by introducing a 25 per cent cap on profit that can be written off by carried f…

I move amendment No. 24: In page 94, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “Report on the treatment of capital gains tax with respect to worker-owned cooperatives 37. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the treatment of capital gains tax in instances where a company or shares of a company are purchased by a worker-owned cooperative, and options to amend the capital gains tax regime to promote worker-owned cooperatives and employ…

I move amendment No. 25: In page 94, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “Report on extension of relief for increase in carbon tax on farm diesel to agricultural contractors 37. The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on extending the relief for increase in carbon tax on farm diesel under section 664A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to include agricultural contractors.”. This is in relation to ensuring that the same treatment w…

I move amendment No. 28: In page 102, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “Report on relief for investment in films in the context of employee pay and conditions within the sector 43. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on section 481 film relief, in the context of the pay, conditions and training of employees within the sector, and options to enhance the scheme with respect to employee pay, conditions and training.”.

I will be brief. Deputy Healy-Rae was quite hard on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications given that this Bill gives people €3,000 for a bicycle with a basket on the front. God forbid if people have to go up the road with their car because they will be paying for it. I have four amendments in this grouping relating to carbon tax and the price of petrol and diesel. We understand the limitations around the energy directive from the European Union but these all fit within the energy tax directiv…

It is not agreed.

That is not what we are hearing.

Publish them.

The Minister has not published the measures.

The Minister should sit down.

The Minister is an embarrassment to the State.

That is a fact.

I would say he is the most unpopular as well.

It is the Government that is arrogant. It is completely deluded about what is happening.