Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

Could I ask for clarification on the amendment? Is it the case that neither the Government nor anyone else has a clue as to how many jobs the reduction in employer's PRSI will create? Is it like the removal of the €3 tax for travellers which is supposed to do marvels for the tourism industry? One of the problems we have in trying to get to grips with what the effect of Government policy will be with regard to the disastrous unemployment levels is that we have no indication from the Government nor, apparently, from any agencies on which the Government will depend for information, on the impact of the proposals. That is what I have gathered from what the Minister said. I do not know if that is the truth of the situation.

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