Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have very strong views on this matter. When it comes to foreign investment in our country, if we have to give tax incentives and create a welcoming environment for companies coming here, of course we should do that. If we shut down our borders and say to people looking to invest around the world that we will do nothing to entice them here, we will be left on our own. We must create a welcoming environment. I also thank the Minister for coming to County Kerry, where she had a productive and workpersonlike visit. She saw at first hand very great companies operating in my county that are giving very gainful employment, paying very good wages and doing very well. I thank her for coming to Kerry because she has many places to go to and her visit was very important.

I will cite one example. Deputy Boyd Barrett knows I am very fond of him but at the same time we must agree to disagree on this matter. Many years ago in the great town of Killarney, Mr. Hans Liebherr came to Ireland and he was looking to invest and start the manufacturing cranes. He was brought here and politicians helped and encouraged him in every way they could. The other night I passed the Liebherr factory perhaps between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. and there were hundreds of cars outside it. There are over 1,000 people directly employed there, not to mention those who are employed indirectly, such as subcontractors, other contractors and hauliers who bring the raw material and leave with the finished product. There are ships that transport it to Europe and the world. If the politicians of the time had not the foresight to entice Mr. Hans Liebherr here, where would those 1,000 people be today below in Killarney and the environs, such as Kilcummin, Sneem, Killorglin or Milltown? They might not have any work. If wages are at one level ordinarily, the wages paid in the factory are at a higher level; it is above the norm. This is because the people working in Liebherr are highly skilled and educated, producing very exceptional goods and selling them around the world.

I hear politicians being critical of tax incentives. One might call it tax evasion but there is such a thing as being tax-prudent and being intelligent about taxes so as to avoid tax. I do not care if a businessman is a farmer, in plant hire or has a shop but if he is prudent about taxes, staying within the law while trying to minimise the tax bill, there is nothing wrong with that. It is legal and it is okay to do so. It is clearly wrong to evade tax and do anything illegal. When I hear politicians being critical of a Minister, perhaps, who might try to entice foreign investment to the country, I would have one question, which is how many people received wages from that politician last week. I look at politicians in this House whom I admire, as well as county councillors in local authorities and Senators but at the back of my head, I am asking how many people are on their payroll and how many people are they employing at home. How many cheques do they write every week and how many houses are they keeping going in their local communities? If a politician is to know the problems of people in business, we must ask how many people he or she is paying every week.

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