Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin's argument is along similar lines and obviously, we chose a monetary value of €3,000 in this regard. I am conscious that Deputies Niall Collins and Donnelly both represent considerable rural areas in their constituencies. I can only speak of County Donegal where, in vast swathes of the country, given the absence of an adequate public transport infrastructure, one must have a car to function as a family in real terms if one wishes to get by and to work. The imposition of a valuation of €1,200 on a vehicle is extremely limited and invites creditors to take a car that would be appropriate. I believe the terminology used in Deputy Niall Collins's amendment probably is a better way to phrase this than as a monetary value. A car that is appropriate to a family's needs could be taken from them and they could be obliged to get one that breaks down regularly. As for the limit of €1,200, as someone who has owned a car with such a valuation in County Donegal, I can assure the Minister that I often was stuck at the side of the road making telephone calls looking for someone to give me a tow and that is no way to get by. Consequently, I believe this is about common sense and coming to an arrangement that does not punish people, particularly in rural areas, or make life unbearable as this is not what Members are trying to achieve in this regard.

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