Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I move recommendation No. 1:

In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section:

"1.—The Minister for Finance shall within two months from the passing of this Act, and every two months thereafter, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report setting out the number of jobs created as a result of each taxation measure provided for by this Act and the number of jobs created as a result of the Levy on Pensions Schemes provided for in section 4 of this Act.".

This is a very important provision. Some of my colleagues have said it might be a bit harsh to look for a report every two months, but I think some form of reporting would be necessary. What is important is that the figures we got today continue into the summer and into the autumn. If the Government is able to claim some credit for the initiative it has taken, I and my colleagues will be happy to give it credit. It is important the Government focuses on jobs. In the interests of transparency and to show it is not all about a press conference concerning what has been done in the first 100 days of Government, it is important there is regular reporting to the Dáil and Seanad on the success of the Bill.

Significant tax breaks are being given to companies, those involved in research and development, and where VAT on business up to a value of €1 billion is concerned while the ordinary working person is being hammered in respect of pensions. The purpose of the recommendation is to ensure that what comes out in the wash is that more people are working as a result of these measures, that we get value for money for the significant tax breaks we are giving business and that the measures are worth it.

It is important the tourism industry, hotels and restaurants get tax breaks. We have no provisions that ensure they must employ people as a result, but we are hoping and expecting they will do so. There is no provision either to force them to give reductions but let us hope prices fall, which makes the sector more competitive. Work has happened on that already.

We are giving significant tax breaks to the newspaper industry. That industry is a significant employer, but it is also an industry controlled by multinationals. There are few small businesses now involved in the newspaper industry and most local newspapers are nationally or internationally owned. We are giving them a significant tax break with no comeback as to whether the price of the newspaper will be reduced to make it more affordable to read or whether they will employ more people. We have seen significant redundancies among journalists, even those covering the Oireachtas, over recent months. Some people whom we know well have been made redundant. We see that happening in the newspaper industry. Where is the job strategy in terms of the tax breaks to that industry? What I propose in my recommendation is that evidence would be given to show what is working in respect of each taxation measure proposed by the Bill. It is critical to allow the people to judge the Government on what it has actually done and I will be asking for some measures in relation to my recommendation. I understand that looking for the figures every two months puts a great deal of work on the Department, but some level of reporting is required.