Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

When approaching any legislation basic questions should be asked with regard to whether it will make a difference, what sort of a difference and whose lives will be affected. When I consider the Finance Bill I question whether it will make a difference and for whom. I admit to approaching anything in the financial line with a degree of scepticism. No matter who it sets out to benefit appearances can be deceptive. There are too many examples of creative accounting, tax loopholes, tax evasion and false information. No matter what tax measure is introduced it immediately becomes a challenge for someone to get around, under or over to avoid paying his or her just taxes.

The Minister referred to corporate tax as being the heart of the matter. I reiterate some points I have made already. We cannot be a tax haven for companies which use us to avoid paying their lawful taxes in their own countries. I am struck by the irony of the suggestion to ask President Obama to help us to protect our 12.5% rate when he condemned it during his first presidential election campaign. European countries need not take the high moral ground on their stated higher rates when, in fact, they have tax concessions and loopholes for companies. A small increase in corporate tax would make a significant difference to what we need at the moment. However, at the least we should ensure that 12.5% is collected from everyone and not an effective rate of tax in single figures as we are led to believe.

Let us consider particular aspects of the legislation. I wish the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, well in reaching agreement with the airlines regarding the suspension of the air travel tax and I hope it will bring in additional passenger numbers. The review should come sooner than the end of 2012 so it can be reversed if it does not bring in the additional numbers envisaged. I do not believe the air travel tax was the reason we saw a reduction in the numbers travelling to Ireland. The astronomical pricing here to stay and eat contributed to the fall in tourist numbers. It was disquieting, to say the least, to learn of the significant hike in accommodation prices during the past week because of the various sporting events and visits. It is too long to wait until the end of 2012 to examine the effects of the change. There should be consistent and regular mini-reviews and instant action should be taken if it is deemed not to have positive effects.

It has been established that most of the visitors we have are associated with the cultural area. I have been appealing for some time for resources to preserve suitably the historic area from the General Post Office, GPO, to Moore Street, Moore Lane and O'Rahilly Parade. Let us consider the number of visitors to the National Museum in Kilmainham. With the centenary of the 1916 Rising approaching the economic potential is vast. If funding were allocated for preservation there would be jobs and, afterwards, retail opportunities for business, jobs as guides etc. We have speculated a good deal on the royal and presidential visits. I hope we accumulate significantly from them.

We know more than 300,000 jobs have been lost, there has been a doubling of the numbers unemployed and that the projected level of increase in employment is not expected to be enough to reduce unemployment. We badly need measures to make a difference. Are these measures for the benefit of society or the marketplace?

The Government was elected on a platform of being honest, having greater accountability, bringing political reform, stopping the bonus culture, adhering to principles of fair share, ensuring bondholders will pay and that tax shelters would be closed. The Government has correctly blamed the previous Government for the disastrous situation we are in. However, it is time to move on from the blame game. The Government must take responsibility and address the matters on that platform and where we stand on them. The bonus culture and excessive salaries are still alive and well. There have been no reversals and no payback from the Mr. Fingletons and Mr. Drumms and political appointments continue. As a PAYE worker and a former teacher, if I underpaid my tax, Revenue would come after me and rightly so. However, one can defraud the country, continue to play golf, go on holidays and live the high life. The payback from those people could have been used for this jobs initiative. Is it not possible to require bondholders who foolishly lent funds without sufficient assets secured to pay back something? Instead, there is a levy on funded pensions schemes and personal pension plans. I realise it is temporary but I am unsure whether we are good when it comes to "temporary". Those who were sensible and prudent enough to save for their retirement now must fund this initiative.

Let us consider the jobs in the retail sector. Some 20,000 businesses employ tens of thousands but sales are in decline. I trust the intention of the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, to establish a national retail forum will grasp the issue. The way forward should focus on small and medium sized enterprises as the key to employment growth in retail, the green economy, social networking, agribusiness and food. The talent and ideas are in place. One need only consider the young entrepreneurs in our schools and the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The song holds that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Leinster showed this last Saturday and I believe Ireland can do so as well but I have my doubts about whether we are making the right decisions in this Finance (No. 2) Bill.

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