Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 74:

In page 110, line 5, to delete “€75.00” and substitute “€149.00”.

As the Minister is aware from his engagement with the road haulage sector, it proposed a fairly comprehensive method to deal with the repatriation of the purchase of fuel. The international hauliers attempted to present to the Minister figures that suggest the measure would be cost-neutral. The Minister indicated he has his own views on the matter. I understand a complex algorithm has been devised in which the rebate was calculated based on the initial fuel price at the pump. The Minister has chosen a rebate of 7.5 cent per litre. My understanding is that the EU directive on rebates allows the Minister to allow up to a 15 cent rebate. It is not the case that he would pay out 15 cent but it would give him such a range. If the Bill provided for it, it would be possible to pay up to 15 cent in the event of the price of oil increasing to an astronomical level. It is the case under the current algorithm that if the price of diesel at the pump goes below €1 there will be no rebate to the haulier. I call on the Minister to extend the scale, which is between zero and 7.5 cent, to between zero and 15 cent, which falls within the provision of the appropriate EU directive on fuel rebates. I ask him to consider broadening the measure. It is not based on the current cost of fuel and where it is projected to be in the next 12 months. Accepting the amendment would not place an additional charge on the Minister or change his budget arithmetic. I would not wish to complicate matters in that way for the Minister. I urge him to consider the amendment.