Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael)

I, too, wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy.

I acknowledge the announcement made by the Minister for Transport today that there will not be any new tolls during his time in the Department of Transport. I ask the Leader, however, to provide time for a major debate on fuel costs. On energy costs, we talk about alternative sources such as wind and wave energy, biomass and so on, but they are for development in the long term. One of the pressing issues is the effect of the cost of fuel and a weaker euro on the cost of running cars, trucks, tractors, trains and even aeroplanes. We are all suffering. Recommendations have been made by associations, including the Irish Road Haulage Association, regarding a fuel rebate, but the matter is not as simple as that. The Leader should arrange a debate on fuel costs. To retain our competitiveness we must reduce transport costs.