James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I may not require the full expanded time. I thank the Minister for the reply. I note the number of 1.6 million taxpayer units in the State and that a taxpayer unit can encompass a jointly assessed couple. I assume that if one were to apply a pro ratacalculation by population, one could arrive at a reasonable estimate of the Kildare figures and those for other counties. I will do this. Kildare is a very industrious and highly populated county, with a high level of employment and enterprise. It is appropriate that this is rewarded in measures such as this.

A key part of the social contract is that we reward enterprise, work, innovation and industry. This is at the heart of this long-promised measure. It has been long sought, since the USC was introduced as a crisis measure during the difficult fiscal years. I understand it was always intended that, eventually, when circumstances permitted, it would be phased out or certainly scaled back. Thanks to the good stewardship of the economy under the Minister and his predecessor, we are in this happy place now with Exchequer surpluses. We can begin to share around the fruits of this labour again.

I welcome the measure and the other measures mentioned by the Minister. I will study these other benefits and the widening of various bands, the medical card exemption and how people can avail of USC credits in other ways. I welcome that minimum wage earners are exempt and out of the loop. That is very important. The squeezed middle is benefiting, which is important. It is also important that enterprise is rewarded. I thank the Minister. I do not need to take the full expanded time. In short, I commend the measures.

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