Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State referred in his reply to the local government fund. Since 2009, a total of €534 million has been withdrawn from the local government fund when €150 million coming out of the motor tax fund this year, is included. The property tax will bring in €500 million at best. Therefore, we will not see an increase in the services. There needs to be a relationship between what people pay for and what they get in return. Last week, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, stated that €150 million was being taken out of the motor tax fund to pay the national debt. That is not why people pay motor tax. Call it general taxation and take it from general taxation but do not call it motor tax if it is not motor tax. It is not motor tax; this increase in the rate is a contribution towards the national debt. Let us be honest with people.