Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I am grateful for the opportunity to set out the measures in this year's Finance Bill. When the Minister opened the Second Stage debate in the Dáil on 14 February, he noted that the Chamber was somewhat sparsely populated. As he remarked to Deputy Michael McGrath at the time, this must be a sign that the crisis is over with almost no one present to hear the beginning of the debate. The idea that the passage of the Finance Bill through the Oireachtas should not attract attention beyond the average is to be welcomed. This is important and complex legislation but it should be considered as just the routine annual implementation of budget and associated measures; it should not be associated with an air of high drama or crisis.