Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

A recent ESRI survey of business people showed this to be their number one concern ahead of infrastructure and other issues, including labour costs. We estimate that business could be saved up to €1.25 billion in five years were the standard cost model adopted.

Like many Ministers, the Minister has only half answered the question I asked. I assume his answer in respect of using the standard cost model is no. I did not ask whether it was recommended by the BRF, I want to know whether the Minister will use it. Will he clarify that?

I asked the Minister when he would set a national target, but he did not answer. Is he not embarrassed by his failure to set a target? I will provide a few examples. Austria set a reduction target in April 2006, the Czech Republic set a three-year 20% target in July 2007, Italy——

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