Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I am being brief and Deputy Burton spoke at some length. The report by Mr. Regling and Mr. Watson concerns the extent, duration and level of some of the property tax breaks. I agree with Deputy Noonan that they are an important stimulus tool for a Government. Deputy Costello made the same point. The Minister of State has more or less agreed with the amendment by deferring the changes to section 23 until after the assessment. It was always the intention to carry out an assessment during the year. He has deferred the implementation until the assessment is done.

The Minister announced changes to the universal social charge. After the budget, an issue was highlighted concerning the theoretical self-employed person on €300,000. This person might have benefited from the budget. The change recommended by the Minister puts an extra charge on people over €100,000 whereas the original anomaly concerned those earning over €300,000. Self-employed people earning between €100,000 and €150,000 feel the change has overcompensated. In his closing contribution on Second Stage, the Minister for Finance referred to a document showing the different levels. I would appreciate a copy of such a document. The suggestion is that in regard to company directors or employees, the self-employed person on a salary of over €100,000 has been jumped on. A correction was needed for those earning €300,000 but the compensation has been overdone.

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