David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is clear the Minister is trying to incite a reaction, given his previous contributions. It is not just Fianna Fáil. Sinn Féin has been on the receiving end of some of it, but it is more so Fianna Fáil today. While much of what he has said is true and at times entertaining it is not helpful to contributions at hand. A substantive point is being lost in some of the banter that has been exchanged between the Minister and Senator Byrne.

I refer to the issue of the value of the car. I will not support amendment No. 27 because I happen to agree with the Minister that it is not reasonable to write off the full cost of a car. However, the figure of ¤3,000 is realistic. While I accept that the figure in the North is £1,000, I do not agree with it and believe it should be higher. I cannot be held responsible for everything that happens in the Assembly. I do not even know whether the laws in place in the North were enacted in Westminster, but it is irrelevant because the Minister has failed to take into account a number of issues. The VAT and VRT regime in the UK is completely different which proves the point that the Minister was not comparing like with like when comparing the price of a car in the North with the price of a car in this state. Perhaps the Minister was unaware of this or perhaps he was just trying to incite.

I agree with Senator Byrne's point about the necessity of a car in rural areas, which should be taken as a given. It is not a luxury for people living in any part of the country and in rural areas it is certainly a necessity. We will be pressing our amendment because we do not believe ¤1,200 is realistic, regardless of what it might be in the North. We are legislators in this part of the country and have responsibility in this state. The Minister's figure of ¤1,200 is not realistic and our proposal of ¤3,000 is more realistic. If the Minister is not minded to accept the amendment we will press it to a vote.