Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Of course it is. That is stating the obvious. If we were to reduce the cost of transport in any sector we would increase its competitiveness. However, the job of the Minister for Finance is to try to get the balance right between ensuring that we have enough income from the tax-take to meet our deficit challenge. Of course I would like it if we could dramatically reduce fuel taxes, but we do not have that luxury at the moment.

Ireland is a highly competitive country in terms of food production and exports. That is why we have seen food exports increasing over the last two years. We would like to become more competitive and we are continuing to give farming and agriculture special tax treatment on fuel costs, whether through carbon tax, green diesel or the VAT rebate. I hope we will continue to be able to do that, but whether we can extend those transport fuel cost reductions outside the immediate agricultural area is a decision for the Minister for Finance.

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