Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Deputy, in his part of the country, would be familiar with a phrase common in my part of the country. It is that if somebody has a dog, that person should not bark. If we are to have a review, we will let that process formulate proposals. If I followed the Deputy's request and announced my views before the review, it would prevent a valid review. We will have a valid review of the issues and take up many of the points made. If any Deputy or party in the House wishes to make a submission to the review, it would be welcome and carefully considered. While we all know the charge impacts heavily on certain people, we also know the reasons the previous Government decided to introduce this imposition. Submissions to the review will be taken into account and carefully considered.

The country is in such a dire fiscal and economic state that all assistance from the parties opposite is welcome as are any progressive moves that will assist individual citizens or help to relieve the problem as a whole. The review will culminate in measures in the 2012 budget. In the meantime, I invite the Deputies and parties opposite to participate by submission.

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