Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There is a concern. Not every group would meet at such a high level of Government. When one goes through the minutes, one sees, by and large, that what is discussed works its way into the Finance Bill. That does not really happen anywhere else. That is why I have a concern. It seems there is a very high level access.

This committee discussed the financial transaction tax at approximately three meetings. If one looks at the minutes, there were approximately 13 meetings between October 2011 and May 2012 on the same subject with the group and the sub-groups. By and large, the Department's position was that of the Clearing House Group. I questioned the ESRI report which supports it. If one goes back over the questions I asked on the ESRI, it does not stand up. People were using the ESRI report as justification.

Was there more information at those 13 meetings which strengthened the case that there should not be a financial transaction tax? I am open to persuasion on whether it is a good or a bad thing but when one sees there were 13 meetings between October 2011 and May 2012, one can see the concern I have as a Member of Parliament.