David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I am delighted that Minister has one. I agree with Senator Hayden, as I am sure does the Minister, that nobody wants to have to increase any form of taxation, direct or indirect. We are in a difficult situation and we must reduce our deficit. We have accepted this and we have stated so ad nauseam. Of course we must reduce our deficit. However, as the Minister stated, the choices we make have consequences. From my experience of dealing with small retailers every day of the week I argue that increasing VAT has an impact. I presented three alternatives of the dozens in our pre-budget manifesto so the House did not get a full flavour of it. Senators can look at them when they have spare time and they might learn something. We will vote on this because we do not believe the 2% VAT increase is in the best interests of the State.