Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I genuinely believe the figure the Minister has set is too low. There is a groundswell of opposition. People outside the Houses know which figure is being chosen and are unhappy with it. Anyone can run into financial difficulty in the current economic climate. Regarding the point on which Deputy Niall Collins sought clarification, it is good the figure can be raised at a future date, but I do not know why the Minister would not accede to the request to increase the figure to at least €1,500. Items became more expensive while times were good and people might have bought items with which they would not like to part. The flat rate figure set by the Minister in respect of personal jewellery is too low and should be increased.

I appreciate how he has moved on the question of vehicular transport. When I raised this issue previously, he missed my point. He believed I was referring to one type of vehicle when I mentioned "jeeps". Where I come from, a "jeep" is a work vehicle, not something that can be seen swanning around the suburbs of Dublin or taking children to school. There is a difference. The work vehicles are used by contractors and farmers. If they want to get their legs back under them, return to work and try to get to a better place after running into financial trouble, strong, suitable and sound vehicles are a basic necessity. These are not fancy or elaborate. They are ordinary, common work vehicles that any farmer, contractor or so on needs. They are not the type of vehicle that someone like the Minister might have. I hope he will take on board my opinions.

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