Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister that there should be a contribution, albeit a nominal one, in relation to all services. In regard to the Freedom of Information Bill, I cannot recall how it got enmeshed into the actual debate. The Minister made the point that there should be nothing for nothing. For any service provided a minimal or a nominal contribution should be paid from the point of view of respect for that service.

In regard to the point made by Senator McDowell that instead of doing it by means of taxation contributions from those on the minimum wage it might be more appropriate to do it through the social insurance scheme. In other words, the contribution would find its way into the system by way of the social insurance scheme. After all, these people are on the minimum wage. The social insurance scheme would meet both requirements in that it would bring a certain amount of money into the Exchequer while maintaining it at a reasonable level.