asked the Minister for Finance the amount of taxation payable on each gallon of petrol retailing at 65p per gallon.

The amount of taxation payable on a gallon of petrol retailing at 65p is 38.16p.

Would the Minister say how this amount compares with the amount of tax on the gallon of petrol prior to the recent increase?

I do not know but——

It is about time you did. You should.

I have not got the figure here with me.

You should have it in your head after doing what you did.

The Deputy is entitled to ask a supplementary question but not to argue with the Minister.

We are entitled not to be treated with contempt by the reply. The Minister does not know. I will tell him. It was 24p. Now he does not need a civil servant to tell him.

The tax after the last increase under Fianna Fáil represented 66.7 per cent of the price.

How much?

The tax now represents 58.7 per cent of the price.

The Minister answered in pennies. It was 14p out of 24p. Now it is up to 40p. Stop trying to tell lies.

Would the Deputy give the Minister an opportunity of answering the supplementary questions?

Not in the deceitful way that he is answering.

May I take it that the Minister is trying to convince us and the country that under Fianna Fáil more tax was levied on petrol than under his supervision?

There was a bigger percentage——

Was there more or less tax levied and, if so, how much?

Eight per cent more.

How much in money? That is the point.

I will answer the Deputy if he puts down the question.

122.

asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the fact that the object of the recent tax increase on petrol is to conserve petrol, he will reduce this tax to keep the price of superior grade at 65p per gallon when producers, distributors or retailers are granted a further increase for their handling of the product.

I would not contemplate a reduction in the level of taxation on petrol in the event of the increase suggested by the Deputy taking place.

Would the Minister consider reducing the tax on petrol when the multi-national companies get a massive increase around Christmastime?

We fully debated in this House last Tuesday the whole oil supply and taxation on oil position and I have nothing further to add at this stage.

We did not discuss that question but I think the Minister has it coming up shortly.

123.

asked the Minister for Finance, if, in view of the fact that the object of the recent increase in tax on petrol is to conserve petrol, he will reduce road tax on the smaller car to keep the cost of motoring within the reach of persons with lower incomes.

The present system of road tax favours smaller cars.

A reduction in road tax on smaller cars to offset the increase in taxation on petrol would encourage motorists to continue to use the same volume of petrol and would be contrary to the objective of achieving a reduction in petrol consumption.

What reduction in petrol consumption?

Ten per cent in 1975.

124.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a reduction of 15p per gallon to taxi drivers and to minibus drivers who are under contract to CIE to transport school children.

I do not contemplate introducing a rebate of petrol duty for taxi drivers as such a scheme would involve excessive and expensive controls and provide scope for serious evasion.

In the case of CIE contractors using petrol driven vehicles on school transport operations, I understand that it has already been decided that, as in the case of previous fuel cost increases in December, 1973, and February, 1974, those contractors will be compensated by CIE for the recent petrol cost increase and, therefore, the question of granting a reduction in the tax on petrol, as suggested by the Deputy, does not arise.