Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will probably have a second go at the debate tomorrow.

We will see. Tomorrow is another day. People are outraged by the increase because petrol and diesel are expensive enough. People do not agree it will have any beneficial effect on the climate because as many people know, the climate has changed throughout the ages and will continue to change when we are long gone. Whether there is carbon tax after our time, the weather will still change. We will still have extremes of weather in different ages or decades as we have throughout history. History has proved this.

I wish to comment on the reality of diesel engines versus electric engines. A new Euro 6 engine emits 35% less CO2 per tonne than an electric car. That is the engine on a new articulated three-axle tractor unit with a three-axle trailer. Engines are so modern now and emit so much less carbon. It has been proven in tests that this engine emits 35% less CO2 than an electric car.

There are still many questions about electric cars. For instance, how much carbon is emitted in the manufacture of the battery and its disposal when it is finished with? Its lifespan is supposed to be seven years but it may not last that long. Those batteries cost €7,000 to €8,000 to replace. The car is worth so much less before an owner even thinks of getting rid of it. An electric car's resale value is so much less than that of a diesel car. Diesel cars are now so efficient and streamlined. They emit much less than before.

Farmers were hit again in this budget. The increase in stamp duty will affect any farmer who wants to buy an extra bit of land. As the Minister of State knows, a farmer cannot stand still; he or she must produce more. It is very hurtful to farmers that every year the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine returns money to the Exchequer. That is wrong. It should not be happening and we are very disappointed by it. Farmers are asking for simple things. They say it would be a good idea to give exporters €20 per head to help them to export cattle. If we do not continue to increase the export of cattle, we will play into the factories' hands. They are bad enough as it is. They are only paying €3.20 or €3.30 per kg. That is not good enough. Suckler farmers are on their knees. We have heard the television reports. There is proof that many more farmers will get out of the market and reduce the number of suckler cows.

Despite throwing huge sums of money into health our country still has major deficiencies, for example, with regard to home help. The fair deal scheme has still not been sorted out for farmers. As far as farmers are concerned, it is a lousy deal. Just as with any other person, all that should be assessed is the value of a farmer's house. However, the Government still insists that the full value of the farm must be assessed as part of the fair deal scheme. That is totally undemocratic and unfair. Farmers feel they are paying for the fair deal for other people.

Regarding housing, I asked again for the housing list income cap to be increased. People have been thrown off the housing list in Kerry when their income exceeded €33,600 per year. I am talking about a family with three children. That is wrong. The family income supplement puts the recipient over that limit. It is ridiculous that families who need social welfare to survive are being thrown off the housing list. It is totally unfair.

Last week a damning Mental Health Commission report revealed major deficiencies in the level of mental healthcare provided to patients in Kerry. I will outline some key findings. Just two poorly staffed rehabilitation teams serve a population of 689,750 people in Cork and Kerry. The relevant health strategy, A Vision For Change, states that a minimum of seven is needed. While 70 nurses are required according to A Vision for Change, only six are available. Our mental health system in Kerry is not properly funded. Suicide figures have dropped nationwide but they have not dropped in Kerry. We have too much of it. People are hurt and families are torn apart by it. Like everyone else, I know there is no adequate mental health service in Kerry. I refer to the beds in University Hospital Kerry in Tralee. People are waiting on trolleys in the accident and emergency department. Beds have been closed in Dingle. Half of the beds in Kenmare community nursing unit are closed. Killarney Community Hospital is at capacity. We hope the new hospital will be built there in the near future.

Pensioners were left behind in this budget. For as long as I can remember, there has always been some increase for pensioners, the old people who have served this country well. Only for them we would not be here. Many of them gave blood, sweat and tears to put food on the table and provide for their families. The Government found raising the carbon tax to be no bother in the world but old people were not given any increase. It is very unfair. I regret that the Government took this route with respect to elderly people who deserve better. They are really hurting because the Government did not give them the increase they were all genuinely hoping to get.

It appears that the carbon tax will pay for redundancies and compensate workers at Bord na Móna in the middle of the country. That facility was an asset that was creating energy but the Government is closing it down and has flooded the bogs. Other options are open to the Government if it is serious about carbon. How many developers throughout the country have planning permission for solar panels but are waiting for a package that will pay them for providing energy?

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