Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 17, between lines 48 and 49, to insert the following:

""(1A) From the 21st of May 2009 any application for this relief shall be accompanied by an analysis conforming to guidelines set by the Revenue Commissioners demonstrating that the social benefits of the project exceed the social costs.".".

It is the same point as in the last amendment but in respect of a different tax relief. A misunderstanding in the Minister's response is that my request is that a hospital seeking tax relief would have to pass guidelines of cost and benefit in respect of that individual application. The Minister was seeking to suggest we do not need this because he is now getting rid of this tax relief, although we will not be rid of it until 2013. The point I am making is that whether it is a hospital application in Beaumont or for any of the other hospitals, before our money is invested to the tune of whatever percentage of that project goes to fund it, we deserve to see a social benefit commensurate with the cost. This can be done in a non-political way but the Minister is taking the wrong direction, although there are many alternatives other than this for action within our health system. This is all that is requested. The Minister has not wriggled out of this by simply stating the purpose of the Bill is to withdraw this relief over time.

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