Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I will not delay. Fine Gael opposes this measure. It is nothing more than an old-fashioned stealth tax. I find it interesting that the Minister quotes a figure of 15%. That is 5% per annum, or above the average European inflation rate, and it is the reason we are uncompetitive. I cannot understand why that figure would even be used. Everyone uses cars and the Government is collecting €5.6 billion per annum from car owners. The Green Party has become the mudguard for Fianna Fáil on the environment, just as the Minister for Health and Children is the mudguard on health. VRT is supposedly a neutral tax but motorists are once again seen as a soft touch and are being penalised by the Government. The issue has nothing to do with green taxation.

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