Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Minister sent us an explanation of her amendments, and she has moved a little in terms of the 56 days and some modification on the link with audit exemption. The one year period is somewhat of a change. The point being made, which was made in correspondence we all received, is that Ireland is the only country in the EU that links audit exemption to late filing. It is this link that is the problem. It is because the two are linked that the late filing issue is of such concern.

I am concerned that any process whatsoever for anybody, in particular for a small business, would be prohibitive in terms of the cost of the High Court as opposed to the cost of the District Court. I do not understand why the District Court is not kept within the picture. Surely anything that can be done at District Court level should be done at that level rather than at High Court level. The response we have received is still that the accountancy companies are concerned, particularly with the effect on a relatively small number of small businesses. We all acknowledge this is a complex Bill, but for the sake of what are relatively small proposals coming from the Opposition, I ask the Minister to consider what is being proposed.

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