Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the members of the delegation and compliment them on the information they have provided. If one wanted a template for how to consult Members of the Oireachtas, we have certainly seen a good example today. They have made their case in a constructive and factual manner, rather than being emotional about it. Their presentation has certainly helped me to get to grips with this issue quickly. I congratulate those who prepared it. From an early stage, my attitude to this issue has been "if it is not broken, don't fix it". If the forecasts are right and the money is coming in, why start tampering with the system? It is pointed out in the documentation that has been supplied to us that the previous date change, from 31 January to 31 October, was implemented over a three-year period. The filing date moved back a month each year. If there is an overwhelming argument for moving the date back once more, would it be appropriate to use that mechanism or template again? I am not saying it would be ideal for the institute's members if the date were moved back by a month each year, but if the date has to be moved, perhaps it would be more manageable if it were done in this manner.