Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The dramatic decrease in the level of consumer confidence is one of the issues we have been hearing about over recent months. It represents one of the reasons the Government finances are in such difficulty. I cannot understand why the Government has decided to increase VAT by 0.5%. The Minister gave little away in her speech, but €208 million is to be taken every year from an area that needs a boost. The budget should have included measures that assisted in increasing consumer confidence, but instead it has dampened such confidence.

Resolution No. 5 deals with the old reliable of tobacco. Some people claim that it might be the only pleasure that some people have, but I would still support it. There is also to be an 8 cent rise in the cost of a litre of petrol. I would love to know the full amount the Government takes in excise duty on petrol every year. Most of us must use a car as we do not have access to public transport. Prices have rocketed and the Government seems to have no control over them. The Competition Authority is not doing its job. The former Minister of State, Deputy Browne, spoke about the situation in Enniscorthy and claimed that the board of the authority meets once a week to collude to put prices up. Nothing is done to address this issue. I would like the Government to investigate the fuel price rises in recent years relative to the increase in the cost of a barrel of oil, and compare it to the decrease in fuel prices relative to the decrease in the cost of oil. There does not seem to be an inverse relationship between the two and it might do the consumer some good if we got that statistic.

Fine Gael will oppose resolution No. 4 and resolution No. 7. I have mixed views on the betting tax. Much of Charlie McCreevy's heritage is being destroyed this evening. Is the Minister concerned that this move will give rise to on-line betting?

See this speech in context