David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to withdraw the amendment, but I recommend my argument to the Minister that at some stage we should put this issue to an independent assessor and ask him or her to assess the rate for the job and for that to be paid. Then all this pettifogging with dozens of different amendments regarding irritating requirements would end. It is not that I want to avoid paying what is due. I have a good record in that area. I reported the approximate ten shillings a month I got from a sitting tenant in a little flat when I bought my house in North Great Georges Street. I always try to be scrupulous in these matters. My concern is the waste of time involved.

The difference between the Independents and the parties is that the parties have structures and ways of accounting that Independents do not. I find it very difficult to tax my personal assistant, who is brilliant and does an amount of work and overtime. She is here the minute this place opens and often does not leave until late. She will also do work at home. Nobody could pay adequately for the superb assistance I have. I would feel very bad having to tell her that she must keep dozens of receipts for this, that and the other for six years. That is a waste of our time. I do not believe we are supposed to spend time doing that. We should we treated with respect as parliamentarians. The best way to do this is to abolish the whole bloody lot of this, decide on a rate for the job and then off we can go and tax everything.

I will withdraw the amendment, but I hope the Minister will consider what I have said. I apologise that I must leave. I understood we would finish at 12.45 p.m. and have an engagement to meet some people. I will return later.