Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 December 2006

Financial Resolution No. 2: Mineral Oils

 

8:00 pm

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What will the Government do to ensure companies implement the reductions in the price of fuels? In the past, increases in the price of fuel and other commodities were put into effect at midnight on the day of the budget. Such increases are always passed quickly on to the consumer. What action will be taken to ensure these reductions are passed on to consumers tomorrow?

The increase in the price of tobacco products is the meanest attack of all. Having listened to the arguments put forward by previous speakers, I wish to make clear at the outset that I do not smoke and that I hate cigarettes, but I know many people who love them. Smoking is an addiction and for some people, it is their only joy in life. It is their choice to smoke.

Why should we focus only on smokers? What about those who abuse alcohol, some of whom cause havoc on the roads and destroy families? We see the effects of excessive alcohol consumption in every village, town and city at weekends. Why is there no increase in the cost of alcohol products? Why are we punishing the elderly person, for instance, who never goes out to the cinema or anywhere else and whose only indulgence is smoking?

I can give other examples of this hypocrisy. Why does the Government not target those who drink cola? I saw a television programme recently which showed that one can of cola can adversely affect a person's blood sugar and that regular consumption can cause weight gain and other harmful physical effects. A better example relates to the daily and weekly carnage on our roads. Why do we not tax motorists off the road? Why are we attacking only one section of society? The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, can laugh since he does not have to pay for fuel. His motoring costs are met by the taxpayer and he has no understanding of what is going on. Neither he nor the Taoiseach has driven a car in the past ten years. The Minister could not tell me the cost of a litre of diesel because his driver fills the ministerial car to bring him into work in the morning and bring him home at night.

I recognise that smoking is bad for one's health and that smokers' lives are shortened by their habit, but the abuse of alcohol is responsible for more deaths than smoking. We are hypocrites in this regard because we are afraid to tackle the vintners and other vested interests. If the Taoiseach goes to Croke Park next Sunday, one of the first signs he will see will tell him that the all-Ireland hurling championship is sponsored by Guinness. The increase of 50 cent in the price of 20 cigarettes will be a hardship for some elderly people. I would like to vote against this motion but I know my party will not take that approach so there is no point in me getting into an argument about it.

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