Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

When something happens and it is publicised on radio and television we are all here in the House some morning shouting and demanding to know when the Government plans to introduce regulation A, B and C. This House needs to adopt a mindset as does the Civil Service and the public service, that people in the real world have to get on with life and we cannot overburden them. We must decide how we can reduce the unavoidable burdens on such business. I am in agreement with the Deputy in that regard.

We moved quickly on the audit of the exemption threshold. We did not wait for reports but decided to raise it to the European level which took the majority of small and medium businesses out of that burdensome requirement. We cut to the chase. A group within the forum dealing with this issue came up with the idea of taking quick action. While this was happening I invited business groups to suggest good ideas for simplifying the situation quickly in certain areas. I told them I was open to such suggestions and invited them to bring forward proposals.

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