John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Senator David Norris mentioned that we should have a debate on the economy. I raise an issue concerning the local economy, particularly the cost of diesel and the variation in cost from one part of the country to another. In some towns in County Mayo one can buy diesel for €1.41 per litre. As one travels east, one notes garages are selling diesel for €1.53 per litre, representing a difference of 12 cent per litre or, in some cases, €8 or €9 per fill of diesel. We have discussed the issue of cartelism in the House before. There must be a degree of cartelism in various towns because in any town one will not see one supplier selling diesel for €1.41 a litre and another for €1.53. The prices in any town will all be either €1.41, €1.48 or €1.53. At a time when hard-pressed motorists are under so much pressure, I call on the Leader to bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Finance to have it investigated. If there are certain towns in which diesel can be sold for €1.41 per litre, it should be possible to do this in every town.

Finally, I agree with Senator Quinn about sending people who cannot pay their television licence fee to jail. A television licence costs approximately €160 per year. Sending somebody to jail for not paying it costs €1,200 per week. It is illogical and not the way we should do our business. On numerous occasions I have suggested that amendments be made to the Fines Act whereby fines can be deducted at source, be it wages or social welfare payments. In this case, if an elderly person was unable to pay a television licence fee it would amount to just €3 per week. That could be deducted at source and people would not have to be sent to jail. This should be dealt with as a matter of urgency.