Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

There has been no proper financial scrutiny and no penalties have been applied. This needs to be examined. The same scenario applies to the Dublin Port tunnel and the construction of motorways. Individuals can be scrutinised over minor tax breaches, yet significant projects are not scrutinised properly.

I wish to refer to an issue which highlights for what Fianna Fáil stands. Two weeks ago, I attended Buswells Hotel to meet the GPA, which was seeking a tax break for amateur sports people. I was almost knocked down by a number of Fianna Fáil Deputies and Senators who were smiling beside the group's representatives as they posed for photographs and signed petitions. The same Fianna Fáil Deputies entered the Dáil that evening and voted against the amendment tabled by my colleague, Deputy Deenihan, under which such sports people would receive a tax credit of €2,000, provided they made themselves available for drug testing.

The caveat was that by making themselves available for drug testing, it would differentiate them from the ordinary amateur sportsperson. I was amazed to see the Government Members voting it down, having made positive soundings on the issue on the plinth. However, when it came to a vote, they voted against it and I look forward to seeing how my Fianna Fáil colleagues react on this occasion because we will table amendments on it tomorrow.

I urge Senator Mansergh not to give us a history lesson on Fine Gael before 1997 and I look forward to his positive contribution.