Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak about this new piece of legislation, the Motorists Emergency Relief Bill. I welcome the Bill. As many of my colleagues have also observed, I wish it would go further. It is an attempt to help the hard-pressed motorist while at the same time trying to generate activity in the economy and increase employment. It would also act as a job-saving measure which is something on which this Government should focus.

Each day, I meet motorists and small business people who have to cope with the high price of diesel and petrol. They are fighting for their lives and their businesses and are trying to survive for their families. This is the real economic world and I wish the Government would open its eyes and listen to the people who want a hand-up, not a hand-out. It is a little rich for this Government to lecture the people on a regular basis about competitiveness and costs while at the same time it runs away from the proposals in this legislation. When one looks at its details, one sees it is an Act that would allow for the quarterly review of excise duty on petrol and diesel and the introduction of an immediate reduction of 4% per litre on the excise duty on both fuels. The Minister for Finance would review the excise duty on mineral oil on a quarterly basis, taking into account the international price of oil, the domestic economy, the public finances and the annual rate of inflation as per consumer price index. In addition, the legislation states, in subsection (3): "the reduction in excise duty shall come into effect on the enactment of this Bill and shall not give rise to any refund of excise duty". Let us have some common sense in this debate and let us deal with the high cost issues in this Bill. It is time for the Government to get off the fence, do something practical and generate movement and spending in the economy.

While we are on this issue, let us look at the United States and the madness of boycotting bargain oil coming from countries such as Iran. Recently, I met the Iranian ambassador who told me straight out that, first, Iran does not want any nuclear weapons as they are against the people's faith and religion and,second, Iran wants to do business with Ireland, increase imports and trade with us. What is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, doing? He is closing down our embassy in Tehran.

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