Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I do not want to be too negative or pessimistic either and I acknowledge the Government has a very difficult job. It had many choices in the budget and this Finance Bill. I am worried because successive Governments – I was part of the last two – have failed to recognise the simple mathematical fact that we cannot pay back the huge loan from the troika. I was glad to have met representatives of the troika some weeks ago to inform them it is just not possible. Any small businessman will know that. There can be no stimulus for small businesses if we are taking so much out of the economy every year. The Finance Bill gives a legal framework to the savage cuts introduced in the budget. We just cannot keep cutting.

Deputy Halligan referred to ESRI reports on people's savings. There was a report this week on people being unable to pay their credit card bills, standing charges, car loans and mortgages because they need the money for everyday living. This has a knock-on effect on shops and businesses.

We heard from Cavan chamber of commerce today. A massive Tesco building located on the outskirts of Cavan town is killing the town. This has happened in so many other towns. My town, Clonmel in Tipperary, is another example. We fail to see that the whole system has let us down. I refer to the Executive and bureaucracy. There is tunnel vision and the authorities cannot see where they are going and that the politics are negative.

Consider the issue of rates, for example. A small self-employed mechanic was in touch with me just before I entered the Chamber. His rates were increased by €1,000 and I could not believe it. Since he put down a new yard and enhanced his property as a result of the good times, his rates have been increased. He had to sell off property and machines to pay his debts last year. I know of several businesses that have cashed in their pension funds to try to stay afloat over recent years, yet they could not do so.

A business in Clonmel operating since 1958 is closing this week. Over the past three years, those concerned invested €100,000 of their savings to keep it afloat but cannot do so anymore. The system is not viable and we are going in but one direction. Unless the Valuation Office which reviews rates gets real and there is an independent assessor, this will continue to be the case. At present, one appeals to the same body that sets the rates. How one can increase a business's rates in this climate, I do not know.

In addition, we have had increases in VAT, diesel fuel and other items so people have less to spend. It is a negative aspect which means there is less turnover for businesses. I am not an expert in economics but I can tell that if there is not a mini-budget by mid-summer this year there will be some hole in the country's finances because business people will not be able to pay their taxes. That is already happening, but one cannot get blood from a stone.

The legislation governing the operation of sheriffs is outdated and should be re-examined and revised. Sheriffs are menacing people and, worse, they are charging exorbitant rates to take what people have not got. I know of a man who has been unsuccessful in business and the sheriff now wants to take his car away. However, because he did not give them the car, two individuals want €690 for that day's visit. They also wanted €690 for a visit the following week. They did not call but the man was sitting anxiously waiting for them.

That negative system is scandalous, outrageous and intimidatory. It is driving the goodwill, honesty, initiative and vitality from the self-employed sector. These rich, fat-cat sheriffs are propagating that system. It is worse than the penal days. In my area they cover Tipperary and Offaly and get exorbitant fees. It is disgraceful. While one can negotiate with the Revenue Commissioners - I have done so on behalf of others - the sheriff is non-negotiable and will not even speak to a person. He will charge his fees no matter what, adding them on. We should take those blood-thirsty hounds off the road and instead help business people who are hanging on by their fingernails. We are going nowhere, however, because we are tearing the lifeblood out of ordinary people in rural Ireland. We will not get out of this mess until we change direction.

I wish the Government well but I am disappointed that it has fallen into the system of having advisers who give the same advice as before. The Government should get rid of the advisers and get business people in to provide meaningful advice which can be acted upon. We would all support that to get our country back on track. The current system has been a total flop and a disastrous failure, which is mainly due to inertia in the public service. Public servants never worked in the private sector in their lives; they do not understand it, care less and think they are untouchable.

See this speech in context