John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

It is difficult to follow that. I support the resolution. Previous speakers referred to the increase in the duty charged in respect of cheques. However, this matter should be placed in the context in which the Minister for Finance spoke when he introduced significant reductions in other forms of transactions relating to credit cards, ATM cards etc. The Minister specifically stated that the overall cost to individuals accessing payment systems will be significantly reduced by the combination of measures he outlined. Unfortunately, the reductions he put forward do not form part of this resolution, which specifically relates to the increase. It is disingenuous and unfair to consider one in the absence of the other. The combined measures announced by the Minister will reduce the cost of access to the system, which is very important.

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