Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is an important issue and is an important step for us and our society. We listened to our young people and heard what they wanted. Now we are trying to move forward. Nobody wants to put taxes on people but this is about trying to get modal change and to bring about a change in society so that society is better for all. It is important to bring people with us and it is not about attacking the agricultural community or co-ops because we think they can pay for it.

This is an important measure that we support. It is not that we want to be championing a tax, but we think it will be best for Irish society and for our environment, based on the evidence the committee has heard in the past eight months. The Climate Change Advisory Council, which has been very critical of Government policy in the past, presented the committee with evidence which we must take on board. We must do the correct thing for people and for society and not just play to our electorate.