Mr. Fergal O'Brien:

The point Ms McFadden has made on the concentration of sectoral impact is very significant. We are not going to be talking predominantly about very large employers such as multinational employers in the high-tech or life sciences sectors. We are going to be talking predominantly about SMEs, companies in the experience economy and small firms in manufacturing. These, and particularly those in the hospitality and experience economy, are the businesses that are really struggling as a result of the cost of employment and doing business right now. I will move to our main ask of the committee. Employers are very much positively disposed to making employer contributions but we need to give them policy certainty on the long-term labour costs landscape. That has not been forthcoming from Government over the last five years.