Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I hope that the Chair will give me a little latitude, given that this is an important meeting.

Some €5.17 billion was collected last year in energy, pollution, resource and transport taxes, yet carbon emissions did not decrease. Approximately €435 million of that amount came directly from carbon taxes. In the ten years that we have had carbon taxes, our emissions have not decreased. Is the Department of Finance still of the belief that our carbon emissions will reduce if we jack the tax up by a further €20 or €40 per tonne or to a total of €80 per tonne? Will Mr. Kenny give a "Yes" or "No" answer?