Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

This Bill gives legal effect to the measure which was introduced last November. The general purpose allocation of €752 million this year represents an increase of 14% on the allocation in 2003 and is 122% more than the corresponding allocation for last year. It does not make sense for Members to say that the money being given by the Exchequer to the local government fund is not being put to good effect, as it is being used well. The increase of 5% which was provided for last November will raise an additional €34 million in motor tax. All of this funding will be allocated directly to non-national roads. The 2003 non-national roads allocation from the local government fund of €394 million has been increased by €34 million to €428 million this year, which is an enormous amount of money. The charges made by the Opposition do not make sense.

I am confident that the increase in motor tax is desirable and will provide an important funding contribution towards the non-national road network this year and, thereby, allow the continuation of the excellent overall improvements that have been made to the road system in recent years.

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