I recognise that significant difficulties are being experienced by certain sectors of the economy as a result of the foot and mouth crisis and I am sympathetic to their plight. I am aware that there have been calls for assistance from the Government by particular sectors. I do not see it as appropriate to introduce general compensation measures for all sectors and individuals whose activities may be affected by the foot and mouth crisis.
As regards some of the suggestions for temporary tax reliefs, I believe that it would be difficult to consider relieving any sector of the legal requirement to pay taxes owed to the Exchequer or agreeing any general postponement of the collection of taxes for certain sectors. The impact of the foot and mouth crisis has extended beyond the sectors and geographical areas most immediately affected and it could be argued that any general tax measures would inevitably encompass a very large number of cases. Many of these taxes such as VAT or PRSI are collected by individual businesses on behalf of the State. Any general short-term relief would also create long-term difficulties for businesses which would have to pay both their ongoing and arrears of taxes when the crisis has abated.