Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Deputy has raised several issues that are not my direct responsibility. Accordingly, I cannot give him comprehensive answers on these and would advise him to table questions to the relevant Ministers.

The ESB is undergoing a cost-reduction programme of 20% in its cost base. The valuation (amendment) Bill will be introduced to deal with commercial rates as has the legal services Bill. We have achieved cost competitiveness improvements that are not cyclical. The 20% improvement in unit wage cost compared to the rest of the eurozone is not a cyclical factor but a genuine change. The Minister for Finance has reduced PRSI so that it is now cheaper for employers to take on employees. We have reduced the tax burden, particularly targeting small businesses to enable them to take on people on job assist and using research and development. There have been many changes to make it easier and cheaper to help drive businesses to success. These are the issues we seek to address. The Deputy is entitled to table parliamentary questions to other Ministers in their specific areas which I am not competent to fully answer.

See this speech in context