David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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That may be the case if people have alternatives. For example, I supported the sugar tax. That is a good example of where there is an alternative. I can order a Coke Zero instead of a Coke, and that changes my behaviour. The plastic bag levy is another example of taxes and levies that work. They can work where people have an easy alternative they can use. What about carbon tax increases and what people would have to do to change their behaviour? If a home is heated through oil or gas, the occupier has to make a substantial change and investment. If a consumer wants to buy an electric car, it is a substantial investment. We know the majority of people cannot afford to make those changes. That is why I am questioning the assumption of the ESRI that emissions will drop by 3.9%. I simply do not find it credible. I want to ask a question of the Central Statistics Office before I finish.