Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his positive reaction. The important thing is that when these businesses were availing of the scheme, Revenue stated that it did not consider that any business needed to take professional advice or assistance in proving to the satisfaction of Revenue that the criteria were met. It was stated that Revenue would validate some employer eligibility for the scheme but, in so doing, it would adopt a reasonable, fair and pragmatic approach in considering whether the criteria had been met. That is the underlying issue here. These small businesses did everything in good faith. They exceeded the projections they made because the owners of the business rolled up their sleeves and looked around to see where they could get business. They found the business online and took out an overdraft to finance what they were doing. Now they find they are being penalised horrifically. It is something that needs to be addressed rapidly.

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