Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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First, I welcome the Minister to the committee and congratulate him and his colleagues for the safe handling of the Covid crisis. It took a lot of courage and commitment to do so. The Government responded bravely and I compliment it on that.

I want to ask a couple of questions. One of the things our friend, the late Professor John Kenneth Galbraith, used to warn about was inflation in the wake of inducements, incentives or assistance in any case. This was necessary assistance but it could have the same impact. We see signs of inflation. Some of it may be associated with Covid but some of it may have a life of its own. Can the Minister indicate whether any particular specific remedies come to mind, other than a short sharp cut, which would have a negative effect on the economy. Of the two options available, how is it proposed to protect the economy, encourage the recovery from Covid and at the same time try to ensure that we do not contribute to further inflation in the measures to be taken?