Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has assessed the impact of rising oil prices on different sectors; and if the automatic VAT add-on represents an excessive burden on sectors exposed to oil prices. [29677/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent Consumer Price Index figures show that in the 12 months to October 2007, the category of goods classed as "fuels and lubricants" has increased in price by 7 per cent, with its component parts — petrol, diesel and motor oil — increasing by 7.5 per cent, 5 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively, while liquid fuels (which would include home heating oil) have increased by 8.5 per cent over the same period. It should be borne in mind that to the extent that spending in the economy is re-allocated to petrol and other oil products and away from other VAT liable spending, there may be little or no net gain to the Exchequer.