Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Given what the Government is doing at present, it should not be getting paid at all. It should be run out of office.

The Taoiseach this morning pointed to Fine Gael and asked us to find the money. I put down a parliamentary question yesterday about the artists' tax exemption scheme. It was set up in 1994-5. When it was set up, it cost €6.5 million. According to the figures I received yesterday, in 2003 it amounted to €22 million not paid in tax and in 2005 it was a total of €34,800,000. That is almost a 50% increase in two years and the last figure relates to 2005, not 2006 and 2007. All I ask the Minister to do is take 25% of the 2005 figure. It is a simple thing to do. I have found the money for the Minister, so I ask her to reverse the decision immediately. The Minister and the Government need not tell us they cannot find the money.

The money is there. The Taoiseach has asked for patriotism in this country. I am saying to the artists, the patriots, that we are not taking the entire scheme away. All we seek is 25% of it, which will pay for the vaccine that will keep women alive. It will cost €9.7 million, and I have found the money for the Minister. I ask her to do the right thing tonight. I call on the Fianna Fáil backbenchers and the women of Fianna Fáil to vote with us tonight and ensure that this necessary scheme is retained and that young girls will get the vaccination they need. In years to come these girls will not die from cervical cancer. It is a simple thing to do.

I have no wish to hold up the debate. I have made my suggestion and have found the money for the Minister. She should do the decent thing now and accept this motion. The money can and should be found for this.

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