Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation and thank the witnesses for their submission. I wish to ask them about the fiscal space.

Obviously, after 2019 the parameters appear to be much easier for us. We still have to deal with legacy issues in 2018. The gross figure we are discussing at present is approximately €1.7 billion, but what type of fiscal space should the Minister be aiming to create either through hidden space or new tax measures? The witness asked us to consider an additional €400 million to support our businesses to gear up in different ways for what I agree is the profoundly serious challenge of Brexit, given the way in which our economy will be placed between the European monolith and what is still our premier market. Has IBEC carried out an evaluation of that type of tax expenditure? The witness is asking us, for employment reasons and so forth, to engage in major expenditure. Is that just for this year or continually into March 2019 and onwards? How has he evaluated that? It would be good if the committee knew the budget now, in effect, in order that we could evaluate the expenditures.

I have a second brief question. The witness made a good point about labour participation and the low level in the international context. Does he think enough is done by the State to encourage women back into the economy after a period of home caring duties? All the schemes that exist appear to discriminate against that cohort of women. Should we end that immediately and try to support those women to get back into training and then into the economy?