Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Noonan is a good Minister. He is one who knows what is happening on the ground. He certainly responded in the past when the circumstances were even more difficult and I hope he will do the same again. Since then, Germany, France and Switzerland have reduced their VAT rate because they see how important tourism is to the economy and the country. The fact that the sector could create 10,000 jobs has proven that this has worked.

On what the Minister has done, there was a cut, we believe, of approximately €170 million rather than of the higher amount, and Deputy McLellan is quite correct in saying so. We also made a €50 million saving in social welfare where the unemployed came off the social welfare system and got jobs in the hospitality sector.

Deputy Noonan will do right by the country. I have full confidence in him. I had confidence in him when he went to Europe and got the deal for us and no doubt he will deliver on this one.

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