Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I will take some of the questions first. Deputy Rabbitte asked about the estimation of capital gains tax and the approximation of €160 million. This estimate is based on the statistics available which for 2009 is approximately €1.7 billion, for 2010 some €1.5 billion and for 2008 an estimated outturn of €1.7 billion. These are very conservative estimates, based on the forecasts of improvements in the economy and the information available to the Department of Finance and the Minister.

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