Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I fully support the proposed changes, at least in vehicle registration tax and compliment the Minister on this innovative proposal. We could argue about whether the measure would have been introduced had the Green Party not been in Government but that is beside the point. It is a welcome step forward which Fine Gael supports because it introduces an emissions based tax, which is, in many ways, a carbon tax. This is also the case with regard to excise and VAT on petrol. It is noteworthy, however, that, according to the International Panel on Climate Change, the cost to the environment of motoring and petrol is approximately 9 cent per litre. Motorists are, therefore, paying more than their fair share to compensate for carbon emissions from private vehicles.

I am a little annoyed by the disrespect the Minister has shown the House in spending a considerable part of a short debate outlining changes which will be effective for only six months. At the end of his four-page speech outlining his proposed changes to motor taxation, we find the throw-away remark: "I will tomorrow outline to the House measures in relation to the rebalancing of motor tax in favour of new cars and new imports with lower emissions." It is unreasonable to expect Parliament to adopt what is essentially a temporary measure lasting for six months without having the courtesy to outline to Deputies the details of the proposed new regime.

See this speech in context