Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It will mean increased tax revenue. We should invite the officials from the Department of Finance to come to the House to applaud us for making this case so they will be on our side and understand our proposal. This is also a question of sustainable rural development. If there is any downside to our proposal in terms of Government policy, I cannot find it. I acted as the Devil's advocate and went through the proposal with a fine-tooth comb and I cannot find the oppositional position on which, if the Minister of State and I were discussing it over a cup of coffee or a pint, would disagree. Senator O'Reilly made an important point. It would be really damaging for the House to divide on these issues.