Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)

I note I do not have the backing track the Chair had earlier. The Minister is welcome. I will keep my questions short because I appreciate the time we have available is limited. I will go through my questions on the basis of the Votes in chronological order. In respect of the fuel grant scheme for disabled drivers, will the Minister update us on the current status of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme? Where are we with that? This relates to Vote 7.

On Vote 9, which relates to the Office of Revenue Commissioners, broadly speaking, I note comments in The Irish Times this morning, which were attributed to the chief economist in the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, IFAC, that suggested we are likely to see an increase, in the short term, in corporation tax receipts this year. Does the Minister agree with that assessment? I note as well, based on the Minister’s remarks, the significant increase in customs declarations in 2024. A total of 60.5 million declarations were processed in 2024, compared with 50.3 million in 2023. Does the Minister or the Revenue Commissioners anticipate any kind of drop in that regard, especially given the reset in relationships between the UK and the European Union? We are waiting to see what meat is placed on those bones. Does the Minister have comments or a position on that?