Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

Both of us had better be ten years gone before the full story is told about many things. I am glad the Senator has referred to the report of the benchmarking body. That was an agreement that came about voluntarily between the Government and the social partners. When it set up the process and reported, some of the critics expected the Government to say it would walk away from the deal. Part of the PPF was that we would set up this agreement. If the Government were to walk away at that stage we would never again get an agreement with anybody. It was voluntarily entered into as part of the PPF.

People can make any criticism they wish of the process and the outcome, with which they may not agree. Even some of those in the unions do not agree with the result but it was an agreement voluntarily entered into that this was the way we would go about doing it and we would accept it. People on the Government side said it should not be implemented although it had been entered into voluntarily.

In regard to taxation reductions I cited earlier Sustaining Progress as follows:

To the extent that there is any scope for personal tax reductions, progress will continue to be made over the three budgets contained within the lifetime of this Agreement towards removing those on the minimum wage from the tax net.

In the Fianna Fáil election manifesto it was stated there would be no increase in tax rates. Whatever tax concessions were given would be concentrated on those on the minimum wage. That remains the party position.