Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The reason I am bringing forward this measure is to contribute to offsetting the impact on the price at the pump that could be caused by the implementation of this biofuel obligation. It is being implemented from 1 April because I am informed by the Minister for Transport that it will take a number of months for the change in the biofuel obligation to pass through into the price at the pump. Deputy Doherty asked at what point the decision was made. It was made last week at Cabinet.

I understand a public statement was made on this towards the end of last week by the Minister for Transport when he confirmed that this move was being made. It is happening to make further efforts to deliver our commitments under the climate action plan. According to the advice I have received from the Minister for Transport, it is a really important part of how we can reduce the environmental harm that can be caused by the use of fuel which we want to minimise. That is why this change is being made.

I am not in a position to confirm its impact on projects that come from the National Oil Reserve Agency fund, which I understand is being used for environmental projects. It is a decision for the Minister for Transport, if it has any effect at all. If the Deputy is concerned with that, I know that Sinn Féin policy is not to go ahead with the carbon tax increase. We are using those carbon tax increases to also fund projects that we believe are important for our environment and ecology. That is where this measure stands.

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