The increase in carbon tax on fuels used to heat homes is due to come into effect on May 1st and on
transport fuels on October 12th.
Sinn Féin’s motion, which is being brought forward by the party’s spokesperson on Finance Pearse
Doherty TD, will be debated in the Dáil on Tuesday.
Teachta Browne said:
“Workers and families face a cost of living crisis as inflation and rising prices disproportionately
impact the living standards of lower-income households.
“Low and middle-income households spend a higher proportion of their income on food, electricity
and home heating than higher-income households.
“For months now, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty has been warning the
government about the cost of living.
Instead of taking action, they put their head in the sand and have allowed rents, childcare and
energy costs to spiral out of control.
“They just don’t get it. They don’t understand the pressure that workers and families are under and
they need action now to stop those costs rising further.
“The price of gas has increased by 28 percent in the 12 months to January, the price of home heating
has increased by 50 percent in the same period, the price of petrol by 30 percent, and the price of
diesel by 32 percent.
“Increases in the cost of fuel are a cause of financial hardship for many households with the planned
increase in carbon tax on fuels used to heat homes in May and transport fuels in October will
increase fuel prices even further.
“For many people in Tipperary and other rural counties the lack of public transport makes driving a
necessity, an increase in carbon tax won’t change this
“The government has failed to establish an Expert Advisory Group on Energy Poverty to review the
existing data on energy poverty levels, examine research both domestically and internationally on
the causes, impacts and remedies to address energy poverty, or propose an appropriate energy
poverty measurement and tracking methodology to inform public policy.
“That is why workers and families need immediate action and why the planned increase in carbon
taxes must be scrapped.”