Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

It is a pity the Minister has sought to cheapen a serious discussion by taking political potshots, particularly it is clear that those of us on this side are trying to engage in respect of and refine the measure he is trying to implement. We have stated in a non-partisan, non-political way that this is a positive measure. There will be plenty of opportunities, in the context of the Bill before us, to criticise the Minister for things he has either done or not done. We will certainly be voicing such criticism. There will also be plenty of opportunities for him to engage in the cut-and-thrust of debate with members. When an attempt is being made to be constructive and to engage with what we believe to be a positive measure, however, the Minister should respond in kind rather than making cheap political points or misrepresenting people in the context of what they have to say.

There is a serious issue regarding where the threshold lies in the context of maximising the impact and benefit with regard to employment creation. We must also consider the extra revenue which might accrue to the State if the threshold is pitched at the correct level. I accept that if it is pitched too low, problems might arise. I accept the Minister's argument in that regard. However, there is another argument, namely, that a threshold of €5,000 is too low. I can think of quite a number of different jobs which could be done and which might lead to tradespeople gaining employment in the legitimate economy. Such individuals might sometimes not take on such jobs because they do not believe them to be worthwhile or because the person getting the work done thinks that he or she can get it done a bit cheaper. We all know this happens. I do not believe that most people doing that want to do it. In fact, I do not believe they want to do it at all but many of them - both tradespeople and those who might get works done to their homes - find themselves in a difficult position.

A lot is happening on the margin where people are deciding whether to have certain works done to their houses. These are reasonably substantial works. We are not talking about having the washing machine fixed or landscaping rolling, palatial gardens. I know a family who have just refurbished their home in the past two years, put a lot of money in and employed people, but more works need to be done and they are at the limit and deciding whether to do them. We are probably talking about a sum of €2,000 to €4,000. If they decide to do them, tradespeople will be employed and there will be a benefit to the economy. If not, that will be a pity for them, the Exchequer and the tradespeople concerned, many of whom are desperate for work. The family may decide to go through the black economy, not because they want to or because the tradespeople want them to do so but because they will work out whether it is worth their while. We do not expect the Minister to say he agrees with our point, but he should take it seriously and consider it. There is a case for reconsidering the threshold and reducing it.