Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

So motor tax always funded the provision of water and it is not, as indicated by certain media outlets, a new development since the establishment of Irish Water. I thank the witness for clarifying the position.

Mr. McCarthy introduced a wonderful word, "hypothecation", that I have never come across before. I will again stick with the motor tax issue. I understand the point made that if we introduce hypothecation into the finance system, we would ring-fence for water first before ring-fencing for health, education and so on. Eventually, there would be no wriggle room for decision makers such as ourselves to move on. Would the witness be against hypothecation on motor tax, for example, being ring-fenced for the upkeep and repair of roads? There is a reason for asking this as it is related to the topic I wish discuss.