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

I refer to the programme for Government with regard to the environment.

I am glad the Minister, Deputy Naughten, is in the Chamber. As he may know, some very hard-working people from our tyre industry are protesting outside the Houses today against the proposed levy which would see the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment impose a new tax on the motoring public. It would increase the cost of changing tyres on a motor car by €13 per car and hauliers would pay €15 or more per truck tyre.

Surely at a time when we are trying to keep our customers spending their money in the Republic, we do not want people from the midlands and elsewhere buying their tyres in the North. People are working hard, selling and repairing tyres. They live in every parish, town and city in the country. We do not want to see their businesses being closed down.

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