Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise an important matter, namely the crippling 8.7% carbon tax on farm vehicles, which came into effect this week. I want to put on the record the discriminatory nature of this high level of carbon tax on the farming community, particularly on agricultural contractors who must absorb this cost themselves as their farmer clients will not be able to pay. This will put several small contractors out of business. It is now estimated that a relatively small-scale agricultural contractor will be liable for an extra expenditure of almost €500 per week as a result of this exorbitant level of carbon tax. I ask the Taoiseach, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to cushion this devastating blow to the farming community.

See this speech in context