Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The car rental industry should look to see what works well in other countries. I accept car hire is an important part of the rural tourism trade. It is the means people use to get around the country. When the industry looked to have the scrappage scheme extended, the Department of Finance was anxious not to do so because by extending it to used cars, which is effectively what the rental car would be at the end of a few months, the scheme would cost much more and there would be no corresponding increase in VRT or VAT coming back to the State. The millions of euro required for it were simply not there. We anticipate an increase in tourists next year. I have no evidence to suggest there will be major pressure for car rentals. I was due to meet the Car Rental Council of Ireland last week but unfortunately I had to cancel due to a Cabinet meeting. However, I will reschedule that meeting to hear its views.

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