Seanad debates

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Appropriation Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Second Stage

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister for Finance to the House. I know he had a long and difficult year and I know he is probably looking forward to a good Christmas break, so I will not detain him too long. I reiterate Senator Buttimer's and Senator Bradford's comments on the travel tax. We can achieve growth in the tourism industry and I come from a county which is strong in the sector. There is great potential in this through activities like golf, deep sea and lake fishing and mountaineering or climbing, and we could achieve growth in the coming years. The issue is all about such growth because if the economy grows, it would mean a cut of less than €15 billion cut over the next few years.

I am delighted the Minister is present because I also have tabled an Adjournment matter for the next issue as well. There is much potential in the Irish co-operative movement and the work of the National Dairy Council and Irish Dairy Board. We can achieve growth in exports with new products, etc. The Irish Dairy Board is seeking a change in its financial year which will make no difference to the Exchequer. There is an obligation that the accounts be done between 1 September and 31 January and a change is sought of a number of months either side of that period. I hope the Minister will consider that favourably in the upcoming finance Bill in January as it would greatly help the dairy board and societies. They could proceed along with the agricultural cycle rather than within the period specified under existing legislation. The Minister might consider this in the short term and include a provision in January's finance Bill.

There is great potential in co-operatives because they want to invest much more money in research and development. They also want to target specific products, with a focus on export-led growth. This would be of major benefit to the economy. I will leave it at that and hope the Minister will consider this favourably in the finance Bill.

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