John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

When a person speaks about sacrifice and that sacrifice relates to his or her own position or that of the pillar or group which he or she represents, that is laudable, but for IBEC, which is considered one of the wealthiest groups in the country, to call for sacrifices from the pillar that has the least is totally unacceptable. In the current round of cuts and increases in taxation, the Cabinet has spent hours and days deliberating and painstakingly considering what needs to be done to ensure equity and fairness. It is futile for any one pillar of society to point to another and suggest that it should bear the burden.

I support the calls made this morning for the commencement of discussions with the Northern Ireland and Scottish representatives in regard to areas of common interest such as minimum pricing orders, be it in respect of tobacco or alcohol, which would ensure we could raise taxation in an equitable manner and that gangsters could not profit from cross-Border trade illegal trafficking. Perhaps the Deputy Leader will take up this matter and ask the Minister to ensure there is consultation with Northern Ireland and Scottish Ministers.