Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have two brief questions. First, I commend the Minister on his efforts to get a deal. How does he estimate the impact in percentage terms on pay of the existing concessions he has provided - VAT, excise, transport, fuel scheme and medication - to give us an idea of how that is relieving pressure on families? Second, how does he factor in the fact that we all cannot be compensated for external cost increases that arise from world energy and commodity prices? We do not produce them so we have to pay for them. In net terms, somebody in Ireland has to pay. How will the Minister factor that in as well into the discussions on the future of pay trends?

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