Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of section 13 of the Bill is the attraction from overseas of individuals with the necessary high level skills that are needed in the current economic climate. Those individuals will, in turn, act as potential magnets to attract additional levels of business to Ireland, which will enhance our ability to develop further the sectors within which they work. It will enable us to benefit from emerging areas of growth in the future. These factors are especially important in light of the current increasing competition that Ireland faces from other jurisdictions in attracting highly skilled people. The Senator's amendment seeks to restrict the scope of the new remittance basis for foreign employment income to individuals working only in certain industries. This would involve obtaining information from a number of Departments and would involve substantial costs to the Exchequer. For that reason, the recommendation is opposed.