Mr. Pádraig Dalton:

For the trade issue, they give the data to Revenue. If there is any sense of unease from the business community about the data it is providing to the CSO and if we do not get that data, it makes it almost impossible for us to compile robust national accounts and balance of payments data. Our big concern is that the regulatory cover will not provide us with the necessary assurances for the businesses.

We have a history and we know that despite the fact that we have statistical law in place, some of these businesses do not comply. It is not the same as compliance with a tax requirement. People view tax legislation very differently from statistical legislation. While they provide the data to Revenue for tax, the concern for us is that in respect of the structural business statistical surveys and the short-term statistical surveys, both of which are key components of the national accounts, we could see a reduction in the response rates from the business community.