The Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, T.D. today  published Finance Bill 2009 which gives effect to the measures announced in the April 7th Emergency Budget. The Minister said the Bill strikes the difficult balance between the need to show a credible way forward on our structural problems and the need to protect the Irish economy. In this context, he said that a borrowing target of 10¾% of GDP strikes the correct balance.  Lenihan also confirmed the plan to close a potential capital gains tax legal loophole allowing Irish resident companies disposing of shares in other companies to avail of a “participation exemption” where the shares derive their value from exploration or exploitation rights.