Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am coming at this from several perspectives. I am a former banker. I own a small business. If my accountant asked me to project sales levels in my business, I would have to point out they are largely determined by the tourism season and by weather forecasting. Anybody who has read The Mayor of Casterbridge will recall Henchard saying that only "a fool" would bet on what the weather will be. I would not like to have any hand, act or part in the idea of interest and penalties kicking in after the suggested date. As a nation, we want to be compliant. That is why I am happy for the date to stay where it is. This proposal might be appropriate for the purposes of projection, but I am not convinced about the benefits of the amount of money we are talking about. To look at it objectively from a financial perspective, the Department's coffers might take in another €30 million, as well as the associated interest and penalties, but that is a small amount of money in the context of the hardship it would cause. It does not stack up, in my opinion. We will work with the institute and the Department on this matter again next year. When Ms Feehily comes before us again, we will press upon her the idea that businesses need to keep the date where it is at the moment. I thank the representatives again for the good presentation they have made. If there is anything we can do to help this organisation, I am sure we will try to do so along the way.