The debate about tax illustrates the difficulties in trying to make changes. I recognise the benefit of having rules. Long before the budget I said I had come to the view that we should be stringent in regard to the country's finances. That is where I come in as those who have followed my political career know. I will not stray from it. The rules of good financial management are in place to keep us on the right path. We learned an expensive lesson when we went off the rails 20 or 30 years ago. It has taken a long time to dig ourselves out and I intend to stick to the rules for the duration of my period in office as Minister for Finance.