Mr. John McCarthy:

I will elaborate on the issue raised about employees incorporating. There are data published by the CSO in the labour force survey. The committee will be familiar with the quarterly labour force figures. These figures break down the total employment into the number of employees and self-employed. Up until the fourth quarter of last year there was absolutely no change in the share of self-employed as a percentage of the total. I am familiar with the arguments made that this may be one of the explanatory factors. Up until the fourth quarter of last year, however, it does not seem to be an issue but I guess we might find out more when this report is published.