Mr. David Fitzsimons:

In response to the first question, on the budget scheduling, the worst time is the first week in December. People plan their gifts for loved ones and, more importantly, people decide to buy cars in November and December and then collect them in January. The most preferable date is the lowest ebb in the economic cycle in the retail context, which is February and early March. If we are ploughing ahead with austerity, as we must, it would make sense to do so at the quietest period in the cycle rather than at its peak. Speculation, kite flying and discussion about austerity measures leads to people being frozen with fear.

The State as a landlord is not a major issue because most landlords are private entities. The Minister for Finance mandated NAMA to engage with tenants and it is now the largest landlord of any type in the country. We urge committee members, the Department of Finance and the Minister to apply the guidelines if they make good sense. Vulnerable tenants need the guidelines. Why not apply them to other State landlords?