SUVs represented 59% of passenger vehicle sales in January and February, which is up from 53% in the same period last year. There were very positive changes in the vehicle registration tax system two years ago. That system is working to some extent but not as well as we need it to work and the trend is now towards increased SUV sales. It is a matter of physics that SUVs are energy inefficient, whether they are petrol, diesel, or electric. If we are to meet our climate commitments, we have to curb sales of SUVs and fossil fuel vehicles drastically. There are safety reasons for doing so as well. These vehicles are linked with increased pedestrian and cyclist fatalities and injuries. The incremental approach is not working. We need to radically curb sales of these vehicles.

I agree with the various points the Deputy made. I would add one further reason we need to shift the share of this type or model of car. It is related to this energy price issue. Energy is one of the biggest components in the price of steel and the price of steel is going to go up because of this energy price crisis. A vehicle like an SUV, by definition, is probably twice the weight of a smaller car. The cost of that steel alone, regardless of what we do in terms of the forecourt, will, I hope, be an increasing factor in making the case for moving towards lighter vehicles.