Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

While it may seem harsh, there is a case to be made that people should not start their working lives on the dole. It would be a welcome development if the money saved from reducing the relevant rate could be spent on education or training. That would be better than just paying people to turn up on a Tuesday or whenever to sign on. I accept that it might sound harsh but perhaps the worst thing we can do to young people is give them a payment for doing nothing. Perhaps the money saved might be channelled into areas in which we can develop their skills, etc., in order to that they will be ready when the economy takes off again.

I have referred to the Minister of State's contribution and I will now comment on the Minister for Finance's contribution in the Dáil. The investigation into the tax reliefs and incentives for agriculture and agrifood is a good proposition. Many of the subsidies and tax breaks in question are capitalised in higher land prices and this makes it more difficult for young people to become involved in agriculture. I look forward to what the review might have to say in this regard.

On tackling stateless companies in the context of corporation tax on profits, I support the retention of our 12.5% rate but we must ensure that people pay it. The existence here of companies that are stateless for tax purposes caused Ireland damage when the relevant congressional hearings took place in America. I am glad the Minister, Deputy Noonan, is tackling this problem.

I was glad to discover that a number of houses in Monaghan sold for €30,000 each recently. NAMA should dispose of more assets because that is how we will get the cost base down and encourage the kind of growth in jobs to which the Minister of State referred.

On procurement and the need to make savings, the House will discuss amendments made to the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 by the Dáil. I do not know why buses are being dealt with in the context of that legislation, which contains a provision relating to the retention of monopolistic routes and direct-award contracts rather than competitive tendering. The whole concept behind what is being done in this budget is that there should be competition in respect of procurement. However, some Departments are not listening and what is contained at the tail end of the Taxi Regulation Bill is something of which the Minister of State should be aware. He should encourage the Department of Finance to hound the relevant individuals in order to discover how the relevant provision got through. There must be competitive tendering and there cannot be monopolies. As part of legislation relating to taxi regulation, the bus monopoly could be preserved for a further five years. I do not believe anyone wants that. We want value for money. I support the Minister of State in this regard.