Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Upton for sharing her time and giving me the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. Deputy Moynihan said that there were no votes on resolutions on the night of the budget, which has not happened for a long time. That was regrettable. There was no vote that night because there was no increase in excise duties or in taxation on petrol, diesel, cigarettes or alcohol or in respect of whatever are the usual ways of gaining finance by imposing tax increases. However, the Government has found a new way, by the introduction of stealth taxes across the board, particularly by local authorities.

The Government is a major beneficiary of the tax bonanza in the economy. The big spend in our vibrant economy has resulted in an increase in taxation from €36 billion a few years ago to nearly €47 billion now. That represents a significant increase. In recent years consumers have been paying increased amounts through stealth taxes in respect of transport, medicines, child care, VHI, ESB, road tolls — the list goes on. The worst taxes and those that have the harshest impact are the planning charges imposed by local authorities, particularly on people building houses in rural areas. The population is falling in rural areas, particularly in CLÁR areas, and we have the figures on that. People have to fork out huge sums in planning charges to local authorities before they can build a house.

There are many issues I wish to address in the Bill in the short time available. One issue that has been the subject of much discussion in recent years and in respect of which there has been much political point-scoring is that of relief on stallion fees. My part of the country is a major beneficiary of that measure and it would be deplorable to remove it without a proper assessment of it. I heard a person give an assessment of it only yesterday. If the Government changed that regulation, the extra revenue take would be approximately €3 million. Members of the Government should think long and hard about changing that regulation. The truth of the matter is that there has been pressure from Europe in recent months in this regard and the Government is reacting to it. It should note from where the pressure is coming.

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