Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

Like in all Seanad debates, we have broadened this to make it a reflection on all tax reliefs. Since the end of the Celtic tiger and the downturn in the economy, the view has emerged that all tax reliefs were wrong. Senator Doherty referred to 250 tax reliefs. Just because some of those 250 reliefs were excessive or wrong does not mean all of them were wrong. One must concede that the IFSC would never have happened if certain tax reliefs and incentives were not in place. There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of other projects across the country which have been economically beneficial and socially desirable which would not have happened without a tax relief.