Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not think anyone can legitimately stand up and say that the climate crisis is not one of the greatest threats we face but we cannot wrap up measures like this as some sort of action against climate change. It is just another tax hike on commuters and their families.

The public transport network has been expanded but it is still a long way from where it should be. The rail network is creaking at the seams and capacity cannot keep up with demand. The introduction of new rolling stock is far too onerous a process. A small number of towns across the State finally have a bus service but they are in their infancy, and it is just not good enough. All these measures mean that the carrot is woefully smaller than the stick. Fuel prices went up at the start of April, as we have heard, and we saw the M50 toll go up on New Year's Day. If that is someone's daily commute, that is €100 gone.

The Minister is choosing to pursue an agenda of higher fuel costs that will drive up the cost of a commute. Fuel prices have risen by 30% in the past three years. It is just not good enough. He is not doing enough. He needs to look at these fuel prices.

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