Mr. John Hogan:

I thank the Deputy for several detailed questions. I will begin by addressing the question on the potential yield from the local property tax, LPT, and what the starting point is. I do not want to pre-empt the direction in which we take the work of the group. However, it would probably be useful for the group to work on understanding the implications of various options and their impact on yield. I am not quite sure that it is necessary for the starting point to be a very firm ministerial direction saying that the LPT should deliver €400 million, €500 million or €600 million. It would be much more helpful for the Minister to be able to understand the options for LPT and their implications for yield. Our initial work in the group may well involve looking at those implications.