Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin agrees that we need to reduce our carbon emissions and meet our legally binding targets. It is on the approach to this that we differ from the Government, however. We believe climate action must be socially just and that we must protect people as we transition to a greener economy. It is not just Sinn Féin that disagrees on the approach being proposed by the Government. The Minister previously advocated a fee-and-dividend approach to carbon tax. At his party conference last year, he said the fee-and-dividend approach is progressive and benefits those on low incomes. He stated: "It is a clear immediate signal for everyone to reduce their carbon, but it doesn't hit people in the pocket." Has he completely abandoned that position? Will he outline the specific model of carbon tax that is being proposed?

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