Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Government has distanced itself from its own responsibilities.

The Government set up the National Competitiveness Council and then ignored all of its reports and recommendations. It has mired businesses in red tape and regulation. I urge the Government to talk to shop owners and small business people. They are spending half a day a week filling in forms for the Government and now they will have to do more. The employer of the 16 year old who works for a few hours on a Saturday in a sweet shop or a coffee shop will now have to fill in more forms for the Government to pay the 1% income levy. The same is true for all of those in the minimum wage sector.

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