Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the witnesses for being here. My first question is to Ms King. She mentioned a Brexit adjustment assistance fund. Perhaps she would elaborate on what is proposed in that regard. On the 9% VAT rate, which Ms King advocated be returned to its previous level, the argument from industry is that that would cost jobs. In my own constituency of Mayo there are many hospitality workers and I would be concerned about the impact of an increased VAT rate on businesses in the area versus the Dublin sector. In addition, in light of Brexit, there is concern that there will be a reduction in the number of tourists from the UK.

Ms King also listed a number of priorities and areas that she feels need to be addressed. There is nothing in her statement with which I disagree. Ms King mentioned the need for investment in health, housing, early years education, broadband and so on. What are her two priorities for budget 2019? I take it housing would be one of those priorities. I am particularly interested in investment in the early years education sector and the impact that would have in terms of female participation in the labour market.

My next question is to the ISME witnesses. On skills shortages, have ISME members raised with the organisation concerns that they will be affected in this regard over the next two to five years and what sectors will be most affected? On the public-private sector pay gap, how does ISME propose it be addressed in the upcoming budget?

I agree with the witness on insurance costs. The speaker will be aware that Fianna Fáil, particularly Deputy Michael McGrath, has done a considerable amount of work on insurance costs, not just this year but over the last several years. We are working very hard on that, but if the witness has any specific recommendations for budget 2019 in that regard it would be great to hear them.

I would agree with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce that Dublin's success is Ireland's success. As somebody from a rural constituency on the west coast, I still think our capital needs to thrive and do well. There are many people from my own constituency working and living in Dublin. I did that myself for several years. However, the witnesses spoke about using the rainy day fund as an insurance policy for the national development plan. In Fianna Fáil, our view is that the rainy day fund is there to prepare for a downturn if it happens. In any budgetary process, from household budgeting to Government budgeting, it is always prudent to have some funds in reserve for when the unexpected may hit. That is one area where we will need to keep some funds in reserve. The national development plan as proposed should be funded separately to that, and there should be funds in place to ensure its continuance year-on-year and Government-on-Government.

In regard to the gap in female participation in the labour force, how is that specifically affecting the Dublin Chamber of Commerce's membership, and do the witnesses have any specific recommendations as to how we might address that in budget 2019?