Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I spoke in support of this amendment on Committee Stage. It is particularly welcome because it focuses on job creation, an area that is missing from the Bill. I tabled amendments on Committee Stage and have tabled further amendments on Report Stage. One of my Committee Stage amendments proposed a stimulus package for jobs. It would be illogical for the Government not to accept the simple amendment before us. As Deputy Burton indicated, it does not impose a charge on the Exchequer but requires only that a cost-benefit analysis be laid before the Houses.

We hear a great deal about political reform. I am one of the sceptics who believe the type of political reform many people seek will not materialise because of a lack of will. A real starting point would be for the Government to provide information to other political parties on analyses of the costs and benefits of tax reliefs provided for in the Finance Bill. To be the best legislators and make correct decisions in the interests of those whom we represent, we must have the full information at our disposal. The facts and figures on tax reliefs devised by the Department of Finance are only available to the Government party and possibly only the Minister for Finance. It is also possible that a trawl for this information has not been done, in which case one must ask what is the reason this information is not available.

If we are to get out of the mess in which we find ourselves, information should be shared and the impact of tax reliefs introduced in the Finance Bill examined to ascertain how they effect the Exchequer and citizens. Although we are consumed with our deficit, the need to balance the books and how we will deal with the banks and engage with the International Monetary Fund and European Union, Ireland is not a set of accounts but a nation of people. While it is necessary to balance the books and determine what are the effects of the measures introduced in the Finance Bill, we must also examine what effects they will have on real people in real communities. On that basis, the Government should agree to this sensible amendment requiring that analysis be done to determine how tax reliefs measure up against job creation.

I speak one day after the devastating and crippling news emerged that 124 jobs will be lost in Gallagher's Bakery in my constituency. The announcement did not receive anything like the attention it deserves. The loss of 124 jobs in the small community of Ardara in west Donegal is the equivalent of thousands of jobs being lost in Dublin city centre. The matter has not received the necessary focus or media and ministerial attention. The Ministers for Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Innovation should travel to Ardara to meet representatives of Gallagher's Bakery and discuss what they can do to retain 124 jobs.

It is a home-grown company that has provided so much to the area, as well as additional revenue in terms of spin-offs for other companies relying on that business. That has not happened, however, because in reality the Government has closed down.

We know that this is the last piece of legislation to come before the 30th Dáil, so it is about Government Deputies saving their own jobs rather than worrying about jobs that are being lost in the real economy. Even at this late stage, I am appealing for action to be taken. I understand the company is meeting with Údarás na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland this morning, so I appeal for direct ministerial intervention to try to do the best that is possible.

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