Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Speaking from memory, I am not sure. It is not in the Deputy's question so the reply is not in my brief but if he puts down another question either for oral or written reply, I will get him the information immediately. It is unfair to come in and ask a different question entirely when I am prepared to answer the question that he put before us.

As regards meeting ordinary taxpayers and the Deputy's view that ordinary taxpayers have been much put upon and have a very onerous burden, all of us in this House agree with that. Of course, I meet ordinary taxpayers every week in my constituency. I am sure I meet as many ordinary taxpayers as any other Deputy in the House. I meet dozens of ordinary taxpayers every week all the time, as I am sure Deputies Pearse Doherty and Michael McGrath and everybody else here do. There is no lack of input about the concerns of ordinary taxpayers.

In deciding the meetings from the series of requests for meetings that I receive, I meet representatives from sectors of the economy that can help to grow the economy and give me an insight into what changes might be necessary to grow the economy and create jobs. They are the people who I principally meet. In pre-budget meetings, there are groups that have traditionally met with Ministers such the farming organisations, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the social pillar. I meet all those groups in the run-up to the budget to hear their views and concerns and see what kind of meeting of minds we might have in advance of the budget.

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