Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the spirit in which he has raised the issue. I will ask my officials to have a look at this in the context of the tax strategy group, but I do not want to give any impression we are looking at removing a relief retrospectively that has been enshrined in law for more than a decade.

I acknowledge that the Deputy has not called for that, but I do not want to create any uncertainty in this respect. We must stand behind legislation and tax policy that have existed for more than a decade and, not least in the interests of tax equity, honour commitments that were given. That is important. I will ask my officials to examine the issue the Deputy has raised in the context of the work of the TSG. He might put down an amendment. We may well revisit the matter on Report Stage in any case.