Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

There was much emphasis in the budget on the carbon tax increase being ring-fenced. I remember several years ago starting to ask about ring-fencing carbon taxes, which I did on numerous occasions. I was told we did not do hypothecation. I think that was the terminology used. There was much emphasis put on that because it was about changing behaviour. The €90 million was about changing behaviour. However, I am thinking of the totality of the €431 million in addition to the €90 million that people are paying in carbon taxes. Would Mr. Carroll not agree? If it is not ring-fenced for that, is it not just another stream of revenue?