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

If Government stuck to the basics, the economy would be far stronger. What is it doing in respect of fishing? It is attacking the industry and letting it down. What is it doing in respect of farming? It is attacking it and letting it down. What did it do in respect of tourism? It took every negative step it could to hurt tourism. It is planning further attacks on the sector. I remind the Government that we are an island nation but, in order to pursue a green agenda, the Government is going to increase the cost of aviation fuel to such a degree that we will become a high-cost destination. Turf is one of the most basic things we have but our turf-powered electricity generating stations are being closed. Does the Government realise we came very close to experiencing blackouts in recent months because we were running so dangerously low on the energy required? What has the Government done for forestry? One of the easiest things to do in Ireland is to plant and grow a tree but what are we doing? We are importing timber from abroad, left, right and centre. Our own jobs are in serious jeopardy, as we have highlighted. Will the Government stick to the basics?

The Minister of State is talking about billions. I wish to inform him that our very excellent housing department in Kerry County Council, which operates the housing stock for local authority tenants, does not have enough money to replace a stove or fireplace for a person who is old, tired and cold in a local authority home. It is not the fault of the local authority but of the Government. The Minister of State is talking about billions while we in County Kerry cannot replace stoves or windows in our housing stock because we are told we do not have the money. If that was a person in the private sector, the local authority and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage would tell the landlord that he or she had to replace the stove or window. The local authority does not have to do so because it says it does not have the money.

I ask the Government to get real. While the Minister of State is talking about billions, he should look at the basics, mind his own house and keep things in order. I refer to fishing, farming, tourism, turf and forestry. If Government kept its eyes on the ball, it would not be losing its mind and losing its grip on reality, as it is. I implore the Government to watch its own house and to keep things in order. If it does and if it pursues the green agenda, we will have poverty beyond belief. It is going to impose all of these new taxes on people who will find it extremely difficult to manage. With regard to the theory tests, if the Government wants to help get the economy going, it should let the youngsters, who are fit, fine, strong and able to work, do their theory tests so they can get on the road. For God's sake, will the Government open its eyes and employ some common sense?

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