Mr. Paul Sweeney:

I will make a final point, on which we have done a great deal of work. Many policy makers have been blind to this issue. I can understand the reason the Government takes a firm line because investors like certainty, which is understandable. We know that as we head towards fiscal union there will be change. It is better to organise not to have absolute harmonisation of rates but for co-ordination within bands. We talk about the consolidated rate. I agree with those who say that by using the consolidated basis, the figures will be based on the amount one sells in each country, then as a small country, we will lose out. We need to negotiate on the issue rather than let it be imposed on us. That is my worry in the long run.