Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister can consult the transcript of proceedings but I clearly stated that it would be wrong to suggest that all small contractors would be working in the black economy and that many of these individuals are paying tax. I deliberately phrased in that way in the event that someone such as the Minister might misrepresent me. He acknowledged that one of the reasons for bringing forward the measure and allowing the involvement of multiple contractors is in order to deal with the black economy. I pointed out that not reducing the threshold will allow for the black economy to remain in place. The latter will result in a loss to the Revenue Commissioners because even though the jobs will be done, tax will not be paid in respect of them. Reducing the deficit would allow citizens - who will want to avail of the tax incentive - to act as the watchdog in respect of those small contractors who are not in compliance with Revenue.