Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the representatives of Self-Employed Alliance Dundalk. I am a newly elected Deputy and know how hard it is to appear before an Oireachtas committee to make a statement. The delegates have done a fantastic job. Mr. Kevin McArdle’s presentation was very honest. He did not leave anything out and everything he said is true. It took a lot for a very established businessman in Dundalk to make time to come here to tell the truth. He is a very lucky man to have the support of his family. I thank everyone who made a contribution.

I am a former self-employed person and fully appreciate the position of the delegates. I employed 20 people.

My business was different. One gave people 60 or 90 days' credit and depended on them to pay. All that our guests wanted after busting their backsides and providing a fantastic service was to get paid. If someone did not pay them, it was not their fault. The system is wrong where the self-employed are concerned. They took a chance, tried to better their lives and took people off social welfare. They have done everything right. If a business is not going well, one-----