Mr. Peter O'Brien:

On the issue of taxation, there is a very direct consequence of what the Deputy is asking. We have the fifth highest level of taxation on excise. If the Deputy wants to increase taxation from €2 billion to €2.5 billion, it will have a direct impact. One will be to reduce the numbers of people working in pubs throughout the length and breadth of the country. Companies will stop investing in Ireland and will make less profits. When companies in Ireland make less profits and let us take the example of Guinness, it will not spend the €170 million on the Guinness Brewery in Dublin. We will not spend the money on the Midleton Distillery in Cork, that is the reality. We are in business. We are proud of the fact that we make money and invest it in the economy. We create jobs, investment and exports. That is what the Deputy's suggestion will impact on.