Dr. Tom McDonnell:

It is subjective as to what counts as higher income, but the Central Bank data suggest household savings have increased dramatically during the last two years. That will not continue. The point we are making, however, is that this crisis is qualitatively different for low-income households versus high-income households. Therefore, the focus during an emergency should be on protecting households - and I am talking about the household side rather than the business side - from poverty in the context of provision and that should take priority.

On Mr. O'Brien's points as well, we agree regarding what was said about the national training fund, education, childcare and all those types of measures. We have repeatedly emphasised them. We are not doing enough in any of those areas. We are not maximising our growth, employment or productivity opportunities. We have not been doing that. We would certainly support the use of these moneys for training and upskilling as well.