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delighted to be able to speak on this motion on the costs of motoring. There is a fair dollop of hypocrisy in it when we talk about carbon tax because there were only a handful of us who opposed it when it was introduced here in a sneaky

crisis. Ireland is one of the most expensive places to run a car, with recent analysis showing that we have the third highest motor fuel costs in the EU. Couple this with rip-off car insurance costs and it is clear that Irish motorists are paying far more … opportunity for the Government to end the rip-off in motor costs. Instead, it is going to sit on its hands while the cost of petrol and diesel continues to rise, it increases the carbon tax and it fails to stand up against insurance companies. We are providing

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the operating profits of motor insurance companies and public and employer liability insurance using a standard definition of operating profits, that is, after paying all business expenses but before tax and interest deductions from 2020 to 2025, by year

year carbon tax trajectory up to 2030 is implemented, thus incentivising further uptake of biofuels. Furthermore, the renewable transport fuels obligation scheme under the remit of the Minister for Transport obliges suppliers of mineral oil to ensure that a percentage of the motor fuel they place … such as HVO, hydrogen and biomethane. Work on these commitments is ongoing, including the examination in this year's and last year's tax strategy papers published by the Department of Finance. However, it must be pointed out that the availability of renewable transport fuels, including HVO, will

made to pay for tax cuts for diners and developers. There will be a fiver in the fuel allowance but no commitment yet to the extra four weeks again next year. There will be an extension of the cuts to excise on motor fuels and, as the Tánaiste … with the Tánaiste. They gathered in Dublin. Six of them wrote to the Tánaiste a number of weeks ago in relation to taxing the windfall profits of power companies. A week on, where does the Government actually stand? I know what the Tánaiste said earlier but will this

some of the highest prices for motor fuel in the EU. This morning, we learned that drivers in the South are paying 25% more than their counterparts in the North. This is in part due to punitive measures like the carbon tax, which punishes ordinary people when they

fleeced by sharp increases in motor insurance. It is all going in one direction and that direction is up. To add insult to injury, just last week, the Government, in its wisdom, heaped more pressure on those families by increasing carbon tax, making it more expensive for those

having tax and insurance, which is in the current law. They should not be on public roads. They are not suitable. They are far too dangerous. A person should need a licence to buy one or to sell one and should be part of a motor club which

workers. The entry point at which workers start paying the higher rate of income tax will rise from €44,000 to €46,500. Tax credits will also rise by €125. For a household with two earners bringing in a combined €100,000, the changes will amount … human rights strategy for disabled people. The new scheme will support drivers and passengers who require adaptions to enter, exit or operate a motor vehicle. It will open for applications early next year and, importantly, it does not replace the disabled driver scheme. I also welcome the increase

tax by €15. Again, this was a Government choice. During a cost-of-living crisis, Government policy has actively driven the cost of petrol and diesel through the roof. As has been said, the cost of car insurance has sky-rocketed in Ireland. The average cost of motor

definition of operating profits. When we talk about the operating profits of any company, that means operating profits before tax or interest is deducted. That is the standard definition. The Central Bank uses its own definition which has under-reported the profits of the insurance industry … using the standard definition. In the past five years the Central Bank has under-reported operating profits just in the motor sector by €114 million. This is money that is extracted from people to keep their cars on the road. Will the Minister for Finance engage? The Central

young children returning from sports activities were not able to take a shower. The residents have been told their system needs a new motor, which they have been told has been approved. They have also been told there is no date as to when this might happen … will invest in water and wastewater systems. Obviously, we in the Labour Party have stated before that we believe some of the Apple tax windfall needs to be used to bring these estates and systems back up to a proper working state. Having listened to previous speakers

mammoth piece of work, all of the tax legislation came together in one document. A citizen in 1997 who picked up the Taxes Consolidation Act and read it, because they surely had nothing better to do, could actually read and understand what it said. You cannot do that … Colm Burke, in the health committee. HVO, or hydro-treated vegetable oil, is another issue. It is a perfectly adequate substitute for diesel motor oil, the thing that we put in our diesel cars, but it produces 90% less carbon. It does not produce soot, carbon monoxide

Deputy for his further comments. As mentioned, the tax treatment of 100% HVO used in place of diesel is already incentivised through the tax system. On a VAT-inclusive basis, 23% less excise duty is charged on 100% HVO fuel when compared with auto diesel. The renewable transport … transport. This is achieved through the renewable transport fuel obligation, RTFO, which obliges mineral oil suppliers to ensure that a percentage of the motor fuel they place on the market in Ireland is produced from renewable sources. Sustainable renewable transport fuels, such as HVO, provide immediate climate mitigation

there is no end to the rip-off and price hikes. It is not just health insurance. It is energy bills, rent, groceries, motor fuel and childcare. Households are being hammered non-stop, yet Government sits back and does nothing to stop the rip-off. There is something … insurance companies and get a break for customers. Private healthcare relies completely on the public system. Private health insurance is supported by generous tax subsidies of up to €400 million every year. The Government needs to grow a backbone and use the leverage it has. Will the Tánaiste

adviser, who will provide guidance on the transition to zero-emission vehicles. Two tax incentive schemes that allow operators to reduce their immediate tax bill against company profits when investing in zero-emission vehicles are in place. My Department is also looking at the charging infrastructure requirements … emissions savings from the existing fleet. The renewable transport fuels obligation scheme requires suppliers of mineral oil to ensure a percentage of the motor fuel they place on the market in Ireland is produced from renewable sources. For diesel vehicles, the current fuel blend available at garage forecourts

high. Health insurance is out of reach and causing significant problems, especially for people over the age of 60. The cost of motor insurance is increasing at a rate double the EU average. There have been double-digit increases in a single year. In the first six months … over €40 a week out of their pension of €260 or €270 a week. It is substantial. Some of these people paid 60% tax rates back in the 1980s. Health insurance companies are introducing not one and not two increases in the cost of insurance in a year

they do, he is not going to reverse the carbon tax increases. The funny thing is that despite all the money paid in taxes, the Government is going to continue with the toll increases. The Government does not need to do this. It is mean and unfair … years, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been doing everything that the insurance companies want them to do, hoping against hope that motor premiums will reduce. When claims fell by 40%, premiums fell only by 5%. The Minister's statement goes on to say that it "could potentially

Government is responsible for those same rising costs. What is ironic and a real slap in the face to everybody faced with rising motoring costs is that we proposed a motion in this House last week and put real solutions on the table, but the Government voted down … this Government do? It does not want to implement that same Bill and leaves it there. It is the same with the carbon tax hike on petrol and diesel. The Government cannot blame anybody but itself for that. It put that increase on the cost of petrol

costs have risen sharply over recent years. Many of the same issues that are faced when it comes to the general cost of motoring, which we discussed here last week, are being felt in terms of haulage costs. Those issues include fuel price volatility and insurance premiums that … emissions these additional costs should not all be passed on to the businesses that rely on them. The Government should consider rebates and tax supports to incentivise the uptake of low-carbon but often higher-cost fuels like HVO and biodiesel blends. Government should also consider incentives

comes to the table with half-measures. It could not bring itself to provide the maximum support that people need. The reductions in motor fuel do not go far enough. The Government has it in its power to deliver the maximum excise cut possible on diesel, a similar … drop in the tank. Of course, in any event, the Government will take this back from people anyway when it hikes up carbon tax in just a few weeks. It gives with one hand, only to take back with the other. It could have removed, and should completely

increases are constantly chipping away at people's disposable income and their sense of financial security. The most recent data we have on motor insurance costs show a rise of 9%. The cost of health insurance has risen by almost 10%. As we know, Irish households are paying … provide direct supports for those working people, vulnerable people, who need them? Is it prepared to look at such measures as windfall taxes on the big energy companies and the big supermarket chains to target supports at people struggling to pay their bills

that we are not giving them the support they need in the job or financially. I have continuously asked for tax incentives and tax breaks for critical workers, be it gardaí, nurses or teachers, in Dublin, Galway, Cork or any of the cities where the rent is higher … doing need to be changed. I welcome the proposal in the Bill that will end the requirement to display the paper motor task disk. The State already holds vehicle information electronically and the Bill will modernise that and remove the paper disc requirement. I think that makes sense

welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate, however briefly. I agree with colleagues that the motor insurance rip-off has to end. I was calling for action on this issue 25 years ago and it is still going on. We have to increase competition. That is something … constituency, there is a rat run down through Lucan and across the Liffey because of the toll heading towards Blanchardstown. On the carbon tax debate, the Government is not doing enough and some Opposition parties are using it as a populist tool. To be clear

prices are increasing today by 8% on top of all the recent increases. Home heating oil is up 50% or 60%. Motor fuels have increased. We had better not forget about health insurance. Health insurance, which families, households and individuals are forced to get because we have … will help all of those who do not have medical cards but cannot afford health insurance. We need to bring in a windfall tax to be imposed on the large energy companies, including the wind farm owners where there are high profits, once profits go over a certain

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for charging persons more for periodic payments of motor tax over single payments in full and if he will set out his plans to end this practice. [7074/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicle owners that paid motor tax in one single payments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 versus those that opted for periodic payments over the same period. [7075/25

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the additional amount derived from the collection of motor tax payments as a result of persons paying the charge by way of periodic payments instead of a one-off payment in 2022, 2023 and 2024. [7076/25

Minister for Finance the projected reduction in greenhouse gas emissions expected to result from the five cent increase in carbon-related taxes on motor fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54492/25

assessment of the adequacy of rural and inter-urban public transport alternatives prior to the forthcoming 5 cent increase in green taxes on motor fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54495/25

Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the expected annual revenue yield from the forthcoming five cent increase in carbon-related taxes on motor fuels; and whether this revenue will be ring-fenced for climate mitigation or general exchequer use; and if he will make a statement

measures that are being considered for the commercial road haulage, taxi, and agricultural sectors following the forthcoming five cent increase in green taxes on motor fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54489/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether revenue from increased carbon-related motor fuel taxes will be directed towards electric vehicle infrastructure, public transport subsidies, or home energy grants; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Transport the total revenue received from motor road tax in County Wexford annually for the past five years; where those funds are reallocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9733/25

Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department has conducted any assessment of the impact of Vehicle Registration Tax and associated motor taxation requirements on individuals in vulnerable circumstances, including those subject to protection orders; and whether any policy review is planned. [33584/26

asked the Minister for Finance whether there is a scheduled review mechanism to assess the social and economic impacts of the carbon tax escalator on motor fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54494/25

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a tax credit for motor costs for rural dwellers, in light of high car dependency through no fault of rural dwellers, and the lack of alternatives when it comes to transport; and if he will

Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department intends to conduct a wholesale review of the taxes and levies which are applied to motor fuels such as petrol and diesel following the recent fuel price spikes; whether his Department intends to conduct a wholesale review

Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department intends to conduct a wholesale review of the taxes and levies which are applied to motor fuels such as petrol and diesel following the recent fuel price spikes; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the amount by which he intends to increase excise on motor and home heating fuel through the carbon tax in each year of Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16107/25

banking group's (details supplied) reported provision of up to €400 million in respect of the UK motor-finance redress scheme, particularly regarding potential effects on corporation-tax receipts and any dividend payments to the State as a shareholder; and if he will make a statement

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the operating profits of motor insurance companies and public and employer liability insurance using a standard definition of operating profits, that is, after paying all business expenses but before tax and interest deductions from 2020 to 2025, by year