Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

-----as much as any of the cities will not be solved by electric cars. We have to look at that issue. We also have to consider whether we need to incentivise at this point what is a transfer to wealthier people. If you are wealthier, you can afford to invest in an EV. By investing in an EV, you have managed to put yourself onto a smart tariff to charge your car overnight and get electricity at a lower rate. You could have solar panels on the house. You are also getting the tax breaks in terms of VRT and the year-on-year motor tax, and you are not paying the excise duty at the pumps which has been such a feature of the spiralling cost of energy and inflation throughout the country. This is a broader discussion than what we are looking at in regard to this specific amendment.

In the longer term, we need to have an open and honest conversation about the future of taxation in Ireland particularly as it relates to our transport system. It was referred to at length in the Commission on Taxation and Welfare document. That document was not given enough attention when it was released. It was characterised in a way that I would not agree with. It is a serious piece of work and it does some long-term honest thinking about how we can regard the income of the State holistically and make decisions that will guide us and put us onto a firm financial footing into the future. Apart from that, and I tried to stick closely to the topic of the amendment, there are a number of measures in this Finance Bill that will be welcomed by communities throughout Ireland. I will be happy to endorse it when the time comes.

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