Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and the Minister.

The purpose of section 11 is to insert two new provisions in to the Taxes Consolidation Act, namely, sections 484 and 485. Section 485 inserts and establishes the CRSS. Section 484 says that the objective of section 485 is twofold: to mitigate the economic downturn as a result of Covid-19 but also to mitigate the effect of the economy if there is a no-deal Brexit. I apologise to colleagues but I had not realised that CRSS also extended to that. If there is a no-deal Brexit, can the committee take it that the section 485 CRSS will also apply, and businesses affected by a no-deal Brexit will be able to apply for the scheme in the same way as if their businesses had been affected by Covid-19?

An issue has arisen with the EWSS and it will again when the CRSS when it is fully up and running. I have tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister about this previously. Is there anything in the law to preclude companies availing of these State schemes from at the same time paying out dividends to shareholders, which would be inconsistent with what the purpose of the supports as designed by us?