Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Senator's point. I appreciate that he tabled his proposals in the best interests of businesses. The Government is conscious of the needs of business, particularly at present. However, increasing the threshold would cost the Exchequer €45 million but would benefit only 636 businesses. A cost of €70,000 for each of those businesses cannot be justified given the competing demands on Government at present. I shall reiterate how the Government supports businesses. For the eighth year running, Ireland continues to be the most effective country in the EU in which to pay business taxes and is the fifth most effective worldwide.