Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)

That is where motor tax and the local government fund are spent. There is constant demand and every year members of local authorities and public representatives have a list of roads that require resurfacing.

On the issue of emissions, in November last year the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, produced its report on our CO2 emissions and outlined where we stand with regard to our Kyoto commitments. Emissions from transport were down. The agency acknowledged what we all know, that there are fewer vehicles on our roads. It is not surprising, therefore, that emissions decreased by 10% in 2010 from the 2009 figure. There has been a significant decrease in emissions since the peak of the boom in 2007. This is due to there being fewer vehicles on the roads and the previous motor taxation regime which encouraged the use of cars with reduced CO2 emissions, which was successful.

Transport accounts for 19% of our overall emissions, in third place after agriculture and energy. Our energy consumption is also down due to decreased activity. Based on the first three years of the Kyoto Protocol, which ends this year, the EPA says Ireland is on track to meet its Kyoto obligations when the impact of the EU emissions trading scheme and approved carbon sinks is taken into account. The decrease in emissions, particularly from the transport sector, contributed to that. I wish the Minister well as we move to the next phase of meeting our EU targets by 2020, which I expect to be very stringent.

This is relatively short legislation. It is very clear. The finance to be raised by it is expected to be €64.5 million. I look forward to the review of the entire motor taxation system. It is interesting that the economic indicators produced by the Library and Research Service show that the number of new goods vehicles licensed for the first time increased by 9.4% this year over last year. However, the number of new private cars is down, as the Minister will be aware.