Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----where the Rural Independent Group is coming from. Its Members are consistent in what they are saying. However, I look at the Members beside them who are not here. I highlight Sinn Féin. I am going to watch how Sinn Féin Deputies vote tonight. Sinn Féin's pre-budget submission last year was based on collecting €652 million in carbon tax. Sinn Féin did not oppose it in its own pre-budget submission. It accepted the need for the €652 million. If its members come in and vote in favour of this motion they will be voting against their own pre-budget submission as it was laid out. That submission is contingent on, and made no reference to abolishing, carbon tax.

They have built this €652 million into their pre-budget submission. Let us see how they vote tonight. Will they stand by their own pre-budget submission or vote against it?

The new leader of the Labour Party has said she wants targeted measures that include VAT reductions. Such reductions help everybody. They are not targeted. Let us see how Labour Party members vote tonight.

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