Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

They have not eroded the gains. That is precisely the point. Clearly, when the model is changed and personal tax rates and tax on labour are reduced so that work and risk are promoted, other things change. There is nothing for nothing.

The Deputy mentioned local authority charges. Many local authorities, some of which do not have a Fianna Fáil majority, are introducing pay by weight schemes. Increased local government funds have been provided.

I introduced the drugs payment scheme and I am very proud of it because previously people had to pay the entire amount, wait three months and then send in the bill. Now families pay on the first €85 or whatever and if it is €500 they do not have to wait for three months for the health board to go through a circular administrative system to get their money back. The proof of the pudding from a Department of Finance point of view is that hospital drugs are escalating very significantly. The cost of the general medical services board is escalating. Thankfully, despite marginal changes and accident and emergency charges, four out of five presenting do not require accident and emergency service, sometimes because they have primary care in their community at certain times of the week. There is a purpose for some of these things.

On the question of high parking costs, its purpose is to provide more money for amenities. How many times have I heard councillors during the past 20 years crying for more autonomy and more rights to raise funds to enable them provide money for local amenities? These provisions are now becoming law.

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