Caelainn Hogan

I mean, I think the government's only able to do this because this massive surplus they have.

And I know at least one private landlord who's very happy about the idea of income tax.

And we've seen in recent weeks Ireland's biggest corporate landlord, you know, thrilled about the rent reforms and the new profits they say they're going to be making.

I think the question for me is always, you know, who is this government serving?

And this week we've seen a report that the rate of children in residential care has doubled in two years.

I think we are repeating those systemic injustices.

This Sunday, there'll be a protest in Bessborough by survivors of the religious-run institutions against a private developer trying to build on grounds where there are likely hundreds of children buried in an unmarked grave.

So again, I think profit is always prioritised by this government.

But income tax cuts would surely benefit people who are on all sorts of incomes.

It will.

And I'm sure, you know, it could be quite popular.

But I think, you know, will it actually address the systemic inequality in this country?

I think we have this unprecedented wealth and a government boasting about it, but people not really seeing the benefits.

And I think that's creating a real social divide.

And people most vulnerable in this country not, you know, getting more support.

They're not really seeing that wealth at all.

People really struggling.

Well, there are a lot of reports that say that our tax system actually prevents more income inequality in this country.

And, you know, what about a real tax on vacant properties and enforcing that to address the housing crisis?

You know, that is one of the reasons that people are really struggling to survive, the cost of rents.