Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I have no problem with the tobacco increases. I would even be tempted to advocate a higher charge because of tobacco's adverse effect on people's health and all the consequences. If that happened, however, I would have concerns about the enforcement issues the previous speaker has addressed.

The diesel increase is unfortunate. The Government probably went for a quick fix here on the basis that sticking 5 cent on to a litre would throw up €100 million, without sufficiently considering its impact on competitiveness and businesses across the land. Everybody who stands up here talks about how hard-pressed business is. We all know that is fact, not waffle. Cash turnover, calling in debt and so on are important issues for businesses which were probably never as cash-strapped as now. What products are not transported? Even on a small island such as this transport costs are astronomical. Those who work in the transport sector are still reeling from the major impact of high oil prices in recent years. Now that the oil prices are beginning to return to a manageable margin this excise is a retrograde step.

It is designated as a 'mineral oil tax' which raises an interesting question. What if the Government were to introduce a decent tax on our mineral reserves? That would be a more strategic, more far-sighted and profitable application than going after people in the transport business and small companies. The Corrib field is worth at least €10 billion yet the rights to it were given away by people who are no longer here so there is no point harping on about that. Unfortunately, this move is symptomatic of the Government's propensity to move to the easy option to grab a few bob when a much more strategic approach could and should have been taken. It would have had more merit. This move sets competitiveness back again.

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