I raised a Topical Issue matter here two weeks ago relating to fuel merchants. I was not happy with the reply I got. Compliant fuel merchants in every town, city and village in the country are being forced out of business because of lack of regulation. The majority of coal that is being sold in the State does not have carbon tax or VAT paid on it. Those businesses that are operating legitimately and compliantly are being forced out of business. The fuel merchants want every merchant in the country to be regulated. They want all product to be checked to ensure there is a level playing field and that product that is being sold is complying with our taxation laws, and that carbon tax and VAT is paid on it. This Government has an onus to ensure that a level playing field operates for these fuel merchants and that all product that is sold and used in the country is tax compliant.

I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this. I know he raised it in recent weeks. I will ask the line Minister to directly respond to him, or perhaps both the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. At a broad level, of course it is important that there is a level playing field and that any business activity in our country is tax compliant and complies with the laws of the land and policies of Government regarding climate. I will ask for a more detailed note from the relevant Ministers.