Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I commend my colleague, Deputy Dooley, on bringing forward this proposal. It warrants discussion on the floor of the House. It is an issue that affects every family in the country. As it affects agricultural contractors, hauliers and small businesses, and is a topic of conversation throughout the country, it is appropriate that we take this opportunity to debate it here this evening.

If we really wanted to be populist and simply reduce the cost of petrol and diesel, we would advocate a bigger reduction than one of 5 cent or 4 cent in the excise duty with the balance being made up through a VAT reduction. We are trying to make a real proposal albeit for a modest reduction in the cost of fuel for struggling motorists. It is a very real and honest proposal to try to help the struggling families who are commuting, agricultural contractors, hauliers and small businesses. I do not believe it is being populist and it is trying to offer a constructive solution to problems we are facing. While I accept it will cost the Exchequer approximately €145 million, we believe the people getting the benefit of this reduction will go on to spend in the domestic economy and that its effect will be cost neutral in the longer term.

Many Government Deputies agree with what we are proposing and have spoken very favourably about it in the House and even more favourably about it on their local radio stations, saying that this is something that needs to be done. It is easy to say one thing on the radio and something different in the Chamber.

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