I have to respond, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

The issue of carbon tax-----

Most of the commentary on the motion related to the carbon tax, which will increase this evening. The amount is relatively small compared to the €500 million in deferred revenue we are putting through in the resolution. The reason I discussed the comments by Sinn Féin is, in its budget figures every year, the party says it will not increase the carbon tax but it will take all of the revenue that came in last year. Sinn Féin should admit that its budget numbers rightly recognise the benefit of the carbon tax. The be…

If I might just make the point-----

The benefit of the carbon tax is that we can use that to ensure the budget is progressive, which it is.

The bottom decile gets a 4.7% increase in income.

The top decile gets a 1.5% increase. This is partly because 30% of the carbon revenue goes to protect against poverty.

A total of 55% then goes towards retrofitting-----

-----where more than half of our money is used to protect those on the lowest incomes.

The last 15% goes to the farming communities-----

-----to help in the transition.

The benefit of that is that we know-----

-----every year that this money is going to come and we can put it to good effect.

That is what we are doing with the carbon tax. In the meantime,-----

-----we are actually making sure that we protect Irish householders by deferring some of the charges.

I move: (1) THAT the rate of value-added tax chargeable on the supply of electricity provided for by section 46(1)(caa) of, and paragraph 17(2) of Schedule 3 to, the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 (No. 31 of 2010) and the supply of gas provided for by section 46(1)(caa) of, and paragraph 17(3) of Schedule 3 to, that Act, being 9 per cent until 31 October 2023, be extended until 31 October 2024 and that section 46(1)(caa) of that Act be amended accordingly. (2) THAT this Resolution shall have effect on and f…

I very much support the vision for Dublin’s city centre to be a better place to live, work and visit as set out by the advocacy group referred to in the Deputy's question. That is why I fully support the vision set out by Dublin City Council in their recently published draft Dublin city centre transport plan which was developed in co-operation with the National Transport Authority, NTA. I believe this new plan can maximise the opportunities presented to the city through the steady reduction in the use of private ca…

There are a number of reasons I do not think it is the right strategy. We had the example of Deputy Kenny who was delayed this morning by an accident on the approaches to the M50. This road is already at full capacity. If we look at any of the statistical analysis, it is almost jammed at various sections now 24-7. In fact, we have had to introduce traffic management measures to try to cope with the excess capacity most of the time and particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. I do not believe, therefo…

I am proud to be the Minister who introduced the first major cut in public transport fares - 20% for everyone and 60% for those under 25 - which has seen a massive increase in the number of people using public transport.

However, we need some money to come from somewhere to pay for the massive expansion in public transport services we need.