Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the strength of the public finances. This is positive news for everybody. Will the Government give serious consideration to tackling the rates of the universal social charge, USC, workers must pay? As the Tánaiste is aware, this was introduced at a time when the economy was in extreme difficulty and the public finances were in a very poor position. Many workers are asking me why they have to continue to pay such high rates of this punitive tax when the public finances are performing so strongly. I feel strongly that people who are working hard should be rewarded more for the work they are doing. This is an issue that the Government can and should tackle given the strength of the public finances. I ask that this matter be given serious priority.

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