Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply, although I note his Department's reluctance to take this question in the first instance. On the basis of his reply, the Department does not wish to have anything to do with attempting to bring the black economy into the white or grey economy. Does the Minister accept ISME's assertion that departmental agencies, including its inspectorate, should assist the Revenue Commissioners to ensure operators in the black economy competing with legitimate small firms are properly policed and investigated? This is not only about taxation but about operators breaking health and safety, company, planning and transport regulations, which means an illegal company operating outside the rules poses a serious threat to legitimate small enterprises that are trying to compete on a level playing pitch. However, they are being undercut by people who break more than taxation rules. Should the Minister's Department, rather than the Revenue Commissioners, take the lead in combating the black economy, which is a complete reversal of the opening sentence of his reply?

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