Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On 25 March at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis we were told taxes would be reduced, but Irish motorists woke up this morning knowing they were misled. The increase in motor tax represents a tax of €83 million that will hit every household and family. The spin from the Government is that this is part of a green agenda. It is not. It is a direct hit on the pockets of hard-pressed people who require motor transport to get to and from work. It will hit the smallest economical vehicle to the largest gas-guzzler. It suits Fianna Fáil to use the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, as a cover for this raid, straightforward theft carried out by a Government wearing a green balaclava.

Yesterday, the Green Party became Fianna Fáil's mudguard for this tax hike in the same way Fianna Fáil used the Progressive Democrats as its mudguard on health. The Green Party will now be used to protect Fianna Fáil from this blatant tax increase.

See this speech in context