David Norris (Independent)

I will speak for only two minutes. I welcome the Minister to the House, but this is particularly stupid legislation and the Minister knows that perfectly well. As a member of the Green Party, his slogan always was that the polluter pays. The polluter is not paying in this, the vehicle is being taxed. What the Minister should be doing, and he knows it perfectly well but his colleagues in Fianna Fáil would not agree to it, is taxing petrol, as it should be, on the amount used.

One could have a huge car, as I had until Southern Ireland asphalt in alliance with South Dublin County Council destroyed it, but I used it only occasionally. I do not mind paying that. However, the Minister would receive a great deal more money. It would be far more efficient and it would inhibit the consumption of petrol and the emission of fumes if the Minister did what he knows is right and taxed petrol. However, just like in the United States, it is unpopular. Will the Minister reconsider that?

I spoke to the Minister about a sophisticated ignition system. I know he is aware of it but I will send him another copy of it. I spoke with Mr. Halligan who, according to himself, never received a copy of it. Perhaps it got lost in the bureaucracy. I will send a copy directly to him as it should be explored.

Will the Minister examine the situation for taxi drivers in how this Bill affects them with regard to licences or registration? It is a disaster. There is a superfluity of taxi drivers and they have great difficulties. I put these on the record of the House recently and I will send the Minister a copy. A point made to me in a letter I received this morning is that because of the difficult situation taxi drivers find themselves in, they are coming in from the surrounding counties and flooding Dublin. Is there any way of using the tax system to indicate from what county taxi drivers come and try to ensure that in this difficult time they stay more or less in their local area?

Will the Minister re-examine the taxation on vehicles for the disabled? It should be reduced to zilch, zero, nil. Whether via VAT or some other form of taxation, people in this situation should be afforded preferential treatment as compared with those of us who are able bodied.