Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

Will the Taoiseach clarify the figures? The briefing note presented by the Department states that in a full year the cost of the allowance is €24 million which is approximately €3 million more than the Taoiseach stated. In 2007 the cost is estimated at €46 million. This is the lower end of the reduction at €24 million so it should be higher than €46 million over the two-year period. One of the main reasons for this measure is fuel laundering across the Border. The measure is commendable from that point of view but I regret that other home heating fuels have not been included. Green diesel is used in many parts of rural Ireland. The omission of a reduction in excise duty on diesel is a disappointment, both from the point of view of households and agriculture. There was a golden opportunity to encourage the blending of up to 3% biofuel in home heating oils as a mechanism to incentivise and stimulate the biofuels sector. It is a disappointment that this option was ignored in the budget.

Deputy Ó Caoláin is quite correct about the cost of a minimum delivery. Surely the Department of Social and Family Affairs could put in place a structure where the allowance of €14 per week could be paid directly to oil companies. Many oil companies have easy pay systems in place. Would the Department of Social and Family Affairs look at this as an option if people want to go down that route? In the long run such an approach would pay for deliveries of oil.

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