Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also oppose the section. I acknowledge that the extension of carbon tax to solid fuels has been in the pipeline for some time. However, the reality is that it will affect the poorest. More people are lighting a fire at home and turning off the central heating system because they cannot afford to use it. They are relying on the natural fire. We have been advised that increasing the carbon tax will add approximately €2.50 to the cost of a 40 kg bag of coal and 50 cent to the cost of a bale of briquettes. A household that goes through two bags of coal a week for half the year, which would not be exceptional, will pay an extra €130 over the course of the year. This will disproportionately hit the poorest. For that reason, we strongly object to it.