Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests. For any construction industry to go from 20% of GDP to 4.5% would be a concern for anyone. There are significant job opportunities. I welcome some of the proposals, which the Government examined last year ahead of the budget. Some are onerous, others need to be refined and others still might already have been implemented, but we need a scheme whereby only compliant builders who pay their taxes are used. Tax evasion is a different issue. We have referred to multinationals that comply with tax law. It is important that the committee help the process, given the significant jobs potential.

Trainee builders and trades people present an issue. Given the number of young people being lost, there will be gaps in the trades. Are we addressing people's skills? Some people are only partly qualified and have been unable to finish. Could we propose anything to the Government that would see them finish their courses? It is a major issue for some people. All of the committee's members would be happy to work with our guests in that regard.

Last year, I carried out a great deal of work on the question of the fuel rebate. The problem is marked oil, which would also be subject to a rebate. A large quantity of the oil burned in private homes is diesel or kerosene. Whichever it is, it is subject to a rebate. We considered providing a rebate to the 120,000 farmers, but this would be a significant administrative nightmare and might not be wholly welcomed. One way around that issue was to do something in respect of marked oil for home use.

A new recording system was introduced last October, as diesel entering the country was not being recorded properly, particularly green or farmer's diesel. The results of the new system should be available in June. Hauliers have received a rebate. We must be mindful to ensure that the new system works. We are conscious of the issue, but it is important to have accurate information. It is not just a simple question of introducing a rebate. Revenue, the Department of Finance and everyone else are doing their best. For example, work on a dye is under way. Every time we come up with a dye, someone works out how to get around it. A cross-Border approach must be taken.