Liam Herrick

So if we want to have the discussion that Dan wants to have about reducing income tax, how are we going to have a broader tax base?

And I defer to Dan's expertise on this, but we're looking at it from the perspective that we are one of the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of overall wealth.

But we have chronic problems of lack of investment in infrastructure and we have extreme poverty in certain parts of our society, very targeted parts.

We have problems with child poverty.

We have chronic problems for people with disability, for example.

And we have, you know, real difficulties in parts of our cities and providing people being continuing education and so on.

I mean, I think we can have a balanced discussion.

Well, we have to broaden the tax base.

I mean, I thought that was, we all agreed on that, but there's no real enthusiasm.

But if we were to reduce income tax at a higher rate or into the bands, that money has to be replaced from somewhere.

We see this.

I mean, the reality of child homelessness in Ireland is a real thing.

I mean, these are real people.

It does exist.

I think, you know, if you want to have the conversation about spending, you know, I run a statutory body.

I think there are two problems with public spending.

For most of people in the public sector and most public sector bodies, the system now around estimates and budgets is incredibly detailed.

It's very thorough.

It's very careful about every penny that you spend.

And then on the other hand, there seems to be decisions that are made outside of the rules.