Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The price to hire a car here is twice that which obtained in Scotland. There is a shortage of cars. I will not spend too much time on this subject because I realise it was discussed the last time, when the Minister suggested that second-hand cars might be used. However, it transpires that as a result of the scrappage scheme, there are not that many second-hand cars available at present. I do not know whether the Minister has had the opportunity to read the report by Mr. Jim Power. He made two suggestions, one of which involves a subsidy, which could only be considered within the context of a budget. It would be, if one likes, a self-financing subsidy that would only be paid if visitors actually arrive and spend money here. The other suggestion he made and which could be implemented quickly with a small legislative change is to allow cars registered in Northern Ireland and Great Britain to be rented here by rental companies that have offices in both jurisdictions. Would the Minister considers such a measure if the position becomes extremely tight as the summer season approaches?

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