Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We have already dealt with the principle behind the figure of €650 being raised to €2,000. As regards the other thresholds covered in section 6, remuneration from a trade or profession is being increased from €2,600 to €5,000; and the value of shares from €13,000 to €20,000. The section also covers interests in land and contracts for the supply of goods and services to the public sector which will increase from €6,500 to €10,000. These thresholds have not been increased for 12 years and the new ones will last for a period. On that basis, these increases are reasonable.