Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Tánaiste for her answer. I have a number of questions, my first being whether the Tánaiste would be prepared to publish the draft proposal she is making. I have heard it talked about in this House, by Ministers and the Taoiseach in the media, and we know it is being discussed with the social partners. It is certainly being discussed in the media as well. It would be appropriate at this stage and would show respect for the House and for the Opposition if the Minister were prepared to publish the draft of her proposal so that we may all see what is proposed and the potential consequences.

How will Tánaiste assess which employees would "otherwise be made redundant"? An employment subsidy regime can have a huge deadweight effect if it subsidises jobs which are not in danger. In such cases there is cost to the taxpayer but no jobs are saved. There is also the danger that subsidising a business which is in trouble will simply displace jobs from another business which may be equally in need of subsidy.

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