Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I wish to discuss the case mentioned earlier of the President travelling to County Meath and congratulating the people there for the steps they took themselves without relying on the Government. Too often when a problem arises in an area someone forms a committee and then sends someone to Dublin to seek action from the Government. This is a real example of active citizenship. Active citizenship deserves more attention than we give it. We debate it now and again but we do not do so often enough.

Active citizenship includes people putting their hands in their pockets to support charities. However, we have a heavy VAT rate on every charitable donation. In recent days, a case was made to us by the Irish Charities Tax Reform Group. It pointed out that for years the European Union did not allow charities to be VAT free. However, a change was made two years ago and Denmark took a step which enables people to know all money given goes to the charity and no portion goes on VAT. We cannot make amendments to the Finance Bill, we can only make recommendations. I want to make this point prior to it coming to the House and draw the Minister's attention to the fact that another country grabbed the opportunity to ensure all money donated to charity goes to charity without a portion going to VAT.

During the week, figures showed we are beginning to get somewhere on the number of road deaths. Let us not take the pressure off. The change is that for the first time we have begun to enforce legislation and remind people that if they misbehave and break the law they will suffer. However, we have other legislation which we do not enforce yet. A person caught without insurance should have his or her car taken off him or her immediately. A person who is caught driving while drunk is not allowed to continue to drive. However, a person caught without insurance is allowed to continue to drive home.

One reason for the dramatic improvement in the figures in Sweden was the introduction of automatic speed cameras throughout the country. It dramatically reduced speeding in Sweden. In another country, which I believe is Denmark, one's mobile phone is confiscated if one is seen using it on the roads. I mention these as examples of enforcement of the law. We are in danger of relaxing when we see an improvement in the number of road deaths. We must ensure we enforce the laws we pass. On that basis we may get to the top of the table.