Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

On amendment No. 9, I am surprised that the Minister does not consider it appropriate for him or a future Minister to have regard to what other countries are doing in regard to tariff rates. Certain European Union countries are effectively creating an artificial market for bio-fuels by applying higher import tariffs than others. Germany, Spain and Portugal, for example, are applying a higher import tariff than, say, Britain on ethanol coming from Brazil. It makes sense that we would consider what is happening in other member states before making a decision on the percentage of bio-fuel coming from domestic production and what can be done to promote it. However, I accept the other points the Minister made.

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