Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)

I welcome what the Tánaiste said about spending reviews. On the profits, profit levels are 20% and 21%. The Minister's predecessor is on record saying that this will increase viability and output, and increase profits. That is what we were told in Committee. How high does he think the profits have to go? Profit levels of 20% and 21% are double what they were in the previous year for one of those companies. How much higher do they need to go to make this viable? Does the Minister accept that these measures will increase profits even further? Of course when the private sector is involved in construction, it is going to have to have a profit level, but 20% and 21% does not need additional tax relief.

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