Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

If I got the opportunity, I would vote for this Bill. I am against indirect taxation. One could say taxation of petrol and diesel comprises a way of changing behaviour. How does one change the behaviour of someone who lives in the country, however? Does one tell them never to leave the house? That is the only way they would be able to change their behaviour. It is a tax on the poor and it is a good idea to lower it. The problem is that this is a good idea coming from Fianna Fáil. Where were the good ideas for the past 14 years and since the foundation of the State? We are now meant to cheer and state Fianna Fáil will help the ordinary man. The ordinary man is on his knees and many are at their wits' end because of Fianna Fáil's lack of good ideas. It is hard to take the Bill seriously in any way. It will help people but it is coming from Fianna Fáil; that is a major problem and the Bill cannot be taken seriously as a consequence. What is the point in going any further with it? If Fianna Fáil really meant what it is saying, it would have done as it proposed when in power.

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