Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)

I support this Bill. It is a modest proposal. A total reduction of 5%, including VAT, in the cost of petrol or diesel would certainly be of help to hard-pressed families, particularly those with two individuals driving to work. This is increasingly the case nowadays. Fuel costs almost twice what it cost three or four years ago. In rural constituencies such as my own, a reduction would be of advantage to families which are already hard-pressed and which are being pressed further by the household charge and the proposed water tax.

At an initial cost of €150 million, the proposal would release money into local economies, which would be helpful. The major problem is one of austerity and the lack of money. What we need is economic stimulus to ensure shops in high streets all over the country are not closing and that their staff are not put on the dole, thereby putting further pressure on the State. Although the legislation is a modest measure, it would help in that regard. It would put more money in circulation and ensure there would be some emphasis on retaining existing jobs, particularly in the retail sector.

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