I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 6, 10 and 33 together.
In relation to the representations made on behalf of the persons mentioned in the Deputies' questions, my colleague the Minister for Finance, Deputy Quinn, has already supplied details of these on 10 December, in reply to a parliamentary question from Deputy Bertie Ahern. On that occasion, the Minister stated that representations were received by his Department in February last from the persons mentioned by the Deputies for changes in the taxation legislation dealing with discretionary trusts. Two changes were proposed in the representations. One change proposed was the extension of the capital gains tax retirement relief to cover specified categories of disposals of business assets by trustees to specified categories of relatives of the person who set up the trust. The second change proposed was the crediting of discretionary trust tax paid against any capital acquisitions tax liability arising for the recipients of assets distributed from discretionary trusts. Discussions subsequently took place between officials and representatives of the persons concerned in regard to the proposals in view of their complex nature and the issues involved. It was made clear by officials that they had no mandate for negotiation and what they were doing was exploring the matter. In the event the proposals put forward by the representatives were not acceptable and this was made clear to the representatives in October.
The Minister for Finance sees no conflict with this case and the initiative agreed with the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs to invite pre-budget submissions for 1997. The approaches were made last February and the issues involved were complex and required examination by officials. The committee's terms of reference as agreed by Order of the Dáil on 4 July 1996 provide that:
nothing contained herein shall prejudice the right of individuals to meet with the Minister for Finance with a view to making pre-budget submissions directly to him in accordance with longstanding practice.
As was said earlier, representations from the persons mentioned by the Deputies were made last February in the context of the 1996 Finance Bill. The advertisements by the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs seeking submissions in writing to be sent to them were placed in the newspapers on 28 June with a deadline for receipt of 2 August 1996.
As mentioned in the reply to a priority question earlier today, the Minister has received, and continues to receive, submissions from persons who chose to write to him directly in relation to pre-budget matters. All these submissions are, of course, considered in the run up to the budget.