Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

This is consistent with a shift in the balance of transactions from paper to electronic methods. Overall, the cost of individuals' access to payment systems will be significantly reduced by these measures.

As a once-off measure, I propose to include provisions in the Finance Bill 2008 to require the financial institutions to make a preliminary payment equal to 80% of the stamp duty liability on financial cards for the previous year. This will assist the budget to the tune of €60 millionin 2008——

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