Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not speak on this matter at any great length. I have listened to the debate. I chaired the session from 12 noon to 1 p.m. so I heard Senator Casey eloquently make his case. There is no better person to do so. I am very familiar with his success in Glendalough and his commitment to enterprise. I was very interested in the comment by Senator Chambers regarding a wall around the proposal and the associated frustration. I have been there many times. There are very few Senators on the Opposition benches and people constantly trail in and out of here regarding different legislation. I acknowledge and understand the role and function of Government. I noted that, earlier, Senator Buttimer made the point that, although he would make his case robustly, he is committed to the Government and has never voted against it. I respect and fully understand that. It is interesting that others on the Government benches have today experienced this wall and have seen how little give there is. I have thought I did a reasonable job in making cases here before but it is always the same. The Minister gets up and reads a pink or yellow page from a folder that someone in the Department has provided. There is very little movement.

Ultimately, however, Deputy Fleming is the Minister of State and he makes the decision. Understandably, he takes advice, but the bottom line is that it is the Government's Ministers who make the decision. What is notable about this debate is that those speaking against this measure are the Minister of State's own party colleagues. This results in difficulties and pressures for him but, ultimately, he has to decide based on the bigger picture and the advice he has been given. What is also notable about this debate is that members of Government parties are making very good and strong cases. That is very healthy in a parliamentary democracy. I support Senator Casey's amendment. If it comes to a vote, I will vote in favour of it. It is important to hear the views from these benches but I understand the difficulties facing the Minister of State. The case has been made to park this measure for a period and to reduce the threshold to €1.Senator Chambers made a very good case for doing that. The matter can be reviewed again but these are very difficult situations. I understand the difficulties being experienced by people in the crafts and hospitality sectors. We are in a situation not of our own making. We are in it because the British people, or some of them at least, made a decision and its government is pursuing a policy of Brexit. I support Senator Casey and the other Senators who have spoken in favour of this reasonable and fair amendment. We have had a good, healthy and robust debate on this issue so I hope the Minister of State will consider parking this measure or reducing the threshold for a period of 12 months.