Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

-----the self-employed, IBEC and others. An attempt is being made to state that what is being done resulted from the involvement of some other individuals. I completely reject that assertion. There was a short timeframe involved and the self-employed, IBEC and the others to whom I refer had concerns with regard to the level of consultation that had occurred. It was quite appropriate that the Minister should respond to those concerns. Those to whom I refer are major contributors to the economy. If the Minister for Finance had been pig-headed and refused to accept their concerns, I am of the view that Senators - on foot of representations made to them - would be offering a different argument today. I compliment the Minister for Finance on dealing with the concerns that were raised in the context of the short consultation period.

I reiterate that there will not be a cash-flow benefit to the Revenue or to the Minister as a result of what is being done. That is the factual position.