Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe that the Title of this Bill reflects what is occurring. I certainly agree with Deputy Murphy in that regard. That €150 million is being taken from approximately €1 billion in revenue to pay off the national debt is a scam and a shame. In our constituencies, we note the number of potholes and roads requiring maintenance. There are unfinished estates on which money could be spent.

Traditionally, the money went to the local authorities and was divided between them. People do not realise that so much is being taken from this revenue. They actually believe they are paying for road maintenance.

I object to the fact that an amendment was ruled out of order on the basis of there being a cost to the State. This is connected to what happened in 2008 under the previous Government. There was much hype about people buying new cars. All sorts of incentives were given to people to buy new emission-free cars attracting a low rate of taxation. There is a fundamental problem in that we are either moving towards an environmentally friendly society and looking towards emissions reduction or we are not. Our very motor tax system is wrong and we should be examining emissions. There needs to be an overhaul of our approach. There is no use in saying that what was proposed in 2008 was not viable because it would cost the State at a later date.

We need to look at basing motor tax on car emissions rather than on their size. The current process is flawed. I am opposed to this Bill on that basis and on the basis of Sinn Féin's amendments having been ruled out of order.

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