Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed the Minister is not prepared to change the provision because, as I said, there is little likelihood of the Exchequer carrying any risk unless the price at the pump varies dramatically and if it does, the VAT component increases anyway. The State has benefited from the fluctuations in oil prices generally in recent years. At the beginning of the year, one will set out a certain figure, based on whatever the projected or current oil prices are, but because of the escalatory nature of the additional taxation components, which are percentage based, one benefits from an increase. If one had to pay out the 15 cent, it would be collected in some other way. I will not push this amendment to a vote.