Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

I understand the Minister's point. The ESRI's stand-alone analysis showed the impact of budget 2012 would be four times greater on the poorest 40% of households in the State than on the richest 30%, however. We need to examine the effect of policy decisions such as opting for VAT increases instead of the introduction of a wealth tax. That is what the ESRI calculated in its report. We cannot have a Minister or the Government sign off on measures without knowing their social consequences and impact on the poorest in society. Will the Minister consider the recommendation again?