Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is complicated because the euro to dollar exchange rate affects the price as well as the price of oil. The price of oil has been relatively steady at about $80 a barrel on the international markets. In those circumstances we need to consider restoring our tax base. The benefit of excise and VAT is that they help to provide a stable income which allows us to pay for the public service pay increases we need to deliver. They allow us to provide for social welfare increases and go further in October's budget. I could outline a long list of what we need spend money on. There is a responsibility to retain the income stream to pay for those vital services for our people.

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