Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Yesterday, I attended the launch by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, of the National Safety Council's booklet and campaign on child safety in cars. I was amazed to learn that we in Ireland use child safety seats only 50% of the time they are used in either Sweden or the United Kingdom. This is not just a question of educating the driving public. We have a full rate of VAT on these safety artefacts. In the North of Ireland and in Britain there is a reduced rate of VAT, equivalent to only 5%. I suggest one of the things we can do, if the Minister of Transport is coming to the House, is to urge him to use his influence to reduce or eliminate VAT on child safety equipment because we have such a low level of usage compared with other countries.