John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

Nevertheless, if that vehicle is available to people I cannot see it being closed off in terms of double taxation treaties and so on. Perhaps it may be closed and, if so, well and good, but I do not know how it can be done. Some of the rhetoric on this issue is wide of the mark. However, there is a commitment in the tables with regard to the review. It says the Minister for Finance will consider the outcome of this work and bring forward proposals for the 2006 budget next December. So it is not a review that will go on indefinitely. There is a commitment as to when the results will be available and as to the measures to be taken. Apart from the lack of value for some of those schemes, there is a general desire on everybody's part to at least have coherence with some system in place rather than the "ad hocery" which has characterised matters in the past.

I welcome the provisions on agriculture, particularly with regard to stamp duty relief on consolidation. That is an important matter, which has been discussed already. I come back to a point raised by Senator Quinn regarding value for money. There is no spotlight on the Departments themselves, however, and how they spend their money. It is not a question of how the money is allocated to the people in receipt of payments, in terms of social welfare, but how the Departments are themselves administered. A strategic management initiative, SMI, existed and made some positive achievements in terms of the delivery of public services. However, a great deal of work has still to be done in terms of what goes on within Departments and how money is being wasted, as I believe it is at times.

The provisions regarding disability are something for which we can be grateful to the Minister. Since I came into this House, some time ago, I have argued every year for increases in the moneys devoted to disabilities. I believe the Minister has done that in a unique manner. The increases are of a completely different order to anything that has been experienced before and that is to be welcomed, particularly with regard to respite care. A great deal needs to be done to at least give people some relief from the burden of having to look after, on a daily basis, members of their families who are disabled. Resources are finite, but €682 million is being given in tax allowances.

The initiative with regard to the minimum wage is particularly welcome with 650,000 people being affected. There are another 874,000 people on social welfare, in addition to disability benefit.

The initiative with regard to the minimum wage is particularly welcome with 650,000 people being affected. There are another 874,000 people on social welfare, in addition to disability benefit.

That major resources are being devoted to these areas is welcome. I could speak at length on these matters but overall the budget is a good one and we are back on target to achieving the commitments set out in An Agreed Programme for Government. I look forward to those being delivered over the next several budgets of this Government.