Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the representatives from Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. I go back to an initial comment by Deputy John Perry at the start. It is only a comment to Ms Julie Sinnamon. I would certainly not want the message to go out from this committee that I had any difficulty with an investment of €13,000 to create a job that would restore somebody's dignity and give them a sense of wellbeing while removing them from the live register at a minimum recurring saving of €10,000 to €12,000 a year. It is important to point out that a State investment of €13,000, which was the figure Ms Sinnamon suggested, to create a job is value for money, especially if it gives the person back dignity of which he or she has been stripped.

I refer Mr. Martin Shanahan to the issue of competitiveness. Mr. Shanahan, a YouTube sensation, is very welcome to the committee. He handled himself very impressively and defended the Government's decision not to be a part of the United Kingdom very well on the Internet recently. I ask Mr. Shanahan for his general opinion on the following. A suggestion has been bandied about lately that an increase in employers' PRSI to 15.75% on incomes above €100,000 would be a good idea. What does Mr. Shanahan think of that? What does he think of the suggestion that an increase in capital gains tax would be a good idea in terms of competitiveness and selling Ireland's message overseas?