Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response. It is vital the Government gets the impact this would have on Border filling stations, many of which are located in my own county of Cavan as well as in Donegal, Leitrim and Louth. This will have a devastating effect. While I am disappointed the Government is proceeding with the increase on 1 April, I take some solace from the fact the August increase may not happen. I earnestly implore the Minister of State to do all he can to ensure the August increase does not happen. The net result of the increase will be that many businesses - fuel stations - along the Border will close. We cannot allow that to happen because many of them are employers and many employers, particularly small businesses, are going through a difficult time at the moment, as I have no doubt the Minister of State is aware, due to the increased costs they have to incur as a result of Government legislation on pension auto-enrolment and the increase in the minimum wage. Those changes have impacts on employers' PRSI. Sick leave and other employee entitlements are welcome but have an adverse effect on small businesses and the Government needs to be conscious of that.