Barry Ward

You're already paying the top rate of tax.

So I'd rather bring that...

that band up to adjust to the average income.

And in fact, link it to that, if that were possible.

Yeah, I was just going to say, Barra is right.

It's an expensive project, but it's a worthwhile project.

And it's not the case that it can't be done.

And remember, we've seen from past experience in this economy and in others, when you put money into people's pockets, it actually can end up generating money as well for the economy in other ways.

We also know that there are lots of people anecdotally in the economy who decide not to take that extra bit of work, that extra bit of overtime, whatever it is,

because it puts them into a higher tax bracket and the amount of it, over 50% that they pay in tax, makes it not worthwhile.

So it's also about making work pay and that benefits the economy in lots of other ways.

I am not disputing that it's an expensive measure, but in real terms, I think the 1.5 billion euro is bold because it doesn't take into account the other benefits that come to the economy, yes.

But I'm not saying it's not expensive.

I'm not saying that it isn't.

I don't see any politician... That's not a progressive measure.

I mean, we benefit from a hugely progressive tax rate in this country because it reflects people's ability to pay.

The more you earn, the more you pay.

And that's the way it should be.

We're one of the most progressive taxation systems in the world.

If you're talking about shifting that from income tax to property tax, then you're right, it will be much less progressive because it doesn't look like people's ability to pay.