Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The Tánaiste, the most unpopular party leader, is the big loser from the budget. His comments in September caused the Dublin housing market to stall. The House was informed as late as last week that some relief would be forthcoming in the budget but stamp duty did not change. We will watch developments with great interest.

On 20 December, 6,000 heavy goods vehicles could descend on the M50 motorway with the result that for ten hours, an additional 60 HGVs per hour will travel on the most congested road in Dublin. Does the Leader agree that, given the gridlock on the M50, it is lunacy to increase the M50 toll charge by 10 cent from €1.80 to €1.90? The Government should get real. It is already mayhem on the roads. This morning in Lucan, one car accident caused gridlock in west Dublin and two weeks ago it was caused by a hole in the road as commuters tried to get home. A stop should be put to increasing toll charges on the M50 so that hard-pressed commuters are given a break.