Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I support this amendment. In the real world when somebody is starting out in business it is a very traumatic time. We should encourage such people to do it properly, as Deputy O'Donnell said, even if the measure was limited to a certain number of years. One has to be in the position of having started a business and moved from a level of security in order to understand the natural fear which is involved, especially if one has a family. Anything which makes it easier for people is good, which is what this country badly needs. We need to encourage people at this time in our history. It would take people out of the black economy and make them register properly as a sole trader. They will get something for a couple of years. This is the sort of spirit which is needed.

To say that people set up limited companies is fine, but every penny one has when one is starting out is like gold dust. The Minister should try to set up a limited company in this country and see all the bureaucracy, regulation and red tape which is involved. If one is in the financial services industry, one is a small trader. There are all sorts of bureaucracy. If we want to encourage people, little things like those suggested by Deputy Bruton are very important. We should give people encouragement for a year or two, in order that when they are established, feel confident and take on one or two employees, they can then form a company. As Deputy O'Donnell said, they will then have their accountant advising them. At that stage, it would be more beneficial for them to enter into this whole area of forming a company. The initial years are the important ones in giving people the confidence to get out there and to start to do things properly. For them to have any assistance we can give them would be well worthwhile.

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