Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----and has taken some very severe budgetary decisions. This budget is designed to ensure that those who can afford to pay more will pay more. There are many positive features, some of which were welcomed yesterday by small and medium-sized enterprises.

I spoke about the motor industry recently, in respect of the dual registration system which is to be introduced and which, one hopes, will help the industry. Cars registered in the first half of 2013 will be registered as 131; those registered later in the year will be registered as 132.

The ¤35 million seed capital for retrofitting homes will give stimulus to the building industry. The relief from capital gains on the sales of farmland for restructuring purposes will be welcomed by everybody in the agricultural business.

I was disappointed in one area of the budget. Although an increase in excise duties was introduced, the issue of below-cost selling of alcohol was not addressed. I was told yesterday it was not possible to tackle that in the budget but it must be tacked at other points because of the devastation the abuse and usage of alcohol is having on many people. In addition, the multinationals are manipulating the VAT system in order to boost sales of alcohol and get people into their shops. This issue must be addressed. Will the Leader invite the relevant Minister to the House in order that we can tease out the formalities required to address this issue? Significant revenue could be raised that might enable us to be less harsh in regard to some of the measures that had to be taken yesterday.