Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the overall taxation policy, the Government will want to ensure it can limit taxation increases on labour. If there are environmental taxes that can be deployed for the purpose of ensuring we do not increase tax on labour and work, that is a noble aspiration and a reality to date during this Government's term of office, however, it is not true to say that no money goes into matters relating to the climate change agenda to which the Deputy referred. Some €35 million has been allocated for an energy efficiency fund and €9 million has been allocated for research and development in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in respect of new technologies along the lines mentioned by the Deputy. While initiatives have been taken, I agree we could do more. We are working on proposals on the energy efficiency side and on home improvements that may assist some of the measures advocated by the Deputy between now and the end of the year. I am conscious that people will respond to some of the initiatives being taken, whether it is grant assistance or they may be in a position to benefit from lower energy costs in their homes arising from better insulation or better energy efficiency standards. The carbon tax is a tax for the purposes of the Central Fund but the Government is equally conscious of the need to meet our climate change objectives on the energy side. We will continue to invest some of that money in the context of the proposals I have mentioned.

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