Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I received interesting correspondence relating to this section concerning the way in which multinationals operate here. I do not know if the Minister also received such correspondence. It relates to the blocking of a loophole. The individual who raised this issue with me said that if a multinational were recruiting people from aboard, one of the best ways to secure those with the highest talents for the industries we want to have here, namely, the hi-tech industries, the fourth level of development, is to offer them stock options. That will effectively tie employees to a company and its success is as much in their interests as it is in the interests of other shareholders. This blocks to some degree the option in this regard. I am talking about high powered jobs in research and development and marketing. This individual said that such employees will stay in other jurisdictions where they can be given such stock options as part of their incomes.

The Taoiseach and Ministers who travel to the United States next week will undoubtedly seek an assurance from the United States Government that undocumented Irish living in that country will attain legal status. However, many such people who might be willing to return to Ireland, having gained valuable experience in the United States, may be discouraged from doing so because the stock options available to them in that jurisdiction are not available here. This represents a disadvantage in attracting a considerable pool of talent back to the State. Is the Minister aware of the problem with this section? I can provide him with the information if he has not already received it.