Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Professor Morgenroth. This is a very interesting report. I recall proposing last year that we should start the equalisation process which would have given an additional yield of approximately €40 million. Page 31 of the report sets out steps to equalisation. The first step in 2018 would have yielded €68 million and so on. Does that take into account the fact that people will move from having a diesel vehicle or possibly returning to having a petrol vehicle because of the damage caused by diesel? I do not accept the mantra we have had from 2008 that people were not aware of this. I remember 25 years ago Volvo, in particular, drew attention to the PM10 emissions. A former Green Party colleague was Minister for the environment during that period and we had a had a major campaign about getting more particulate matter, PM, stations around the city. We only had three, one located in Stephen's Green and two others. We were well aware of the damage diesel can do in terms of carcinogens and so on. Nonetheless, the industry may have been facilitated from 2008 onwards. Many people are caught now with having vehicles that may be worth much less as time goes on.

When the UK opted for equalisation, how did it deal with it both in terms of excise rates and the motoring public? Should we take a step-by-step approach or go for a big bang approach? What would make more sense?

In his research, has Professor Morgenroth evaluated the harm diesel may be doing in terms of carcinogens in the cost benefit analysis of the two fuels?