Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The comments the Minister is responding to are those of Mr. Seán Fitzpatrick, chairman of Anglo Irish Bank. He made the comments three weeks ago and was scathing of the difficulties emerging for small and medium sized businesses in terms of entrepreneurial flair and the business regulatory burden in Ireland. I acknowledge that the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, made a start in dealing with these issues, such as VAT exemption. The Minister was against VAT exemption levels being raised but changed his mind.

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