Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We all understand that we have obligations under the climate change agenda but there is a question here about domestic versus industrial. The increase of €1.20 last year and now another increase of €1.20 represent a significant amount of money to people on limited incomes. It has been widely reported and spoken about in this House that one in five people experiences fuel poverty. As Deputy Nolan has said, this is not a luxury item. It is a very basic item for people. In urban areas like Waterford city, Dungarvan and Tramore, many people are reliant on it as are those in rural parts of my constituency in places like Lismore and Tallow. They are reliant on solid fuel.

I do not need to tell the Minister of State that the unemployment rate in Waterford is the highest in the country, at 19%.

I concur with Deputy Nolan that we need to delay this tax and allow the economy to kick in outside the greater Dublin area. There has been some good news in respect of jobs, but that effect has not been felt in the south east. This punitive tax will impose difficult circumstances on people with limited incomes.

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