Dún Laoghaire Harbour and Sinn Féin budget
The Leader said the Dún Laoghaire Harbour issue might be better raised by Commencement matter and offered to have the Minister return on harbours policy. He then dismissed Sinn Féin’s alternative budget as fantasy, sparking a sharp exchange with Senator Conway-Walsh and a brief Chair intervention about avoiding detailed budget debate.
Senator Boyhan raised the issue of the article about Dún Laoghaire Harbour and pier. I have not seen it. I suggest to the Senator that a Commencement matter might be a more appropriate way of having the issue addressed. As I said, I have not seen the article. We have had a debate on harbours and ports policy but I am happy to have the Minister return to the House on the matter.
Senator Conway-Walsh raised the issue of the Sinn Féin pre-budget submission, which I thank her for bringing to the House. Yet again, it is fantasy.
Comment on this
It is not in the Oireachtas Library.
Comment on this
If it were to be placed in the Oireachtas Library one would not know whether to put it in the fantasy section, the fiction section or the finance section. Sinn Féin is proposing an increase in tax on jobs and business and its members are becoming climate change deniers.
Comment on this
As we are not having a full debate on the Sinn Féin proposal perhaps we should refrain from attempted summarising of it.
Comment on this
I will try to chair the proceedings as best I can. The budget will be announced next week when, I am sure, there will be a fulsome debate.
Comment on this
To be helpful to Senator Higgins, whom I did not interrupt, Sinn Féin is proposing €2.8 billion in new taxes and 18 new taxes. For example, in terms of inheritance tax it is proposing the imposition of an additional €3,240 on a person who inherits a four bedroom house. That is some record.
Comment on this
That is nonsense and the Leader knows it.