Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I could be completely and utterly wrong, as I said. I am approaching this from a genuine position. Perhaps the Minister, Deputy Pat Carey, can tell me whether, after this Bill has been passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President, the bonuses that were due to be paid to bankers but are on hold because of the threat of recapitalisation can be reduced to a level of €19,999 in order to ensure the universal social charge does not apply to them. I am talking about reductions in bonuses that were accrued in 2008. I do not know what the individual value to each person is. Would the universal social charge apply if a personal agreement was reached between the bank and an individual to the effect that €19,999, rather than €40,000 or €50,000, would be paid?

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