Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I, too, want to voice my opposition and that of my party to this regulation. Last week, I raised the growing issue of energy poverty. We all know that energy prices and bills have increased. We have seen an increase in the public service obligation levy. Electric Ireland customers saw an increase earlier this month and now we have a further increase of €7.50 in carbon tax. A fuel allowance today of €3.50 pales in comparison when we look at the mounting utility bills and, indeed, debt that many workers and families are facing. I am still waiting for the Department's report on the impact of increases in the carbon tax on low-income families. Of course, we all know what that impact is but the report still has not seen the light of day. That speaks for itself.

From midnight tonight, every driver in the State will be impacted by increases in diesel and petrol. This measure will be felt nowhere more greatly than in rural areas. The alternatives, as has been said, are not there. There are no public transport links and in many cases, it is not safe to walk or cycle. Aside from the suggestion by the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, that we can all maybe carpool in rural areas, there has been no regard whatsoever for the impact of this increase on rural towns and villages and there has been no alternative. Briefly, I will give an example of the public transport we are dealing with in rural areas. I was dealing with a college student. She is taking up a course in Tubbercurry, 40 minutes down the road. To get to college for 9 a.m., she would have to get the LocalLink bus from Frenchpark at 4.30 a.m., get to Charlestown, and wait there for two and a half hours for a connecting bus to Tubbercurry. That is the level of public transport we have in rural areas. If everyone in the morning could buy an electric car, the charging points and infrastructure are not there anyway.

Farmers will be extremely penalised by this measure. In relation to increased costs, we all know they are already struggling. This increase will lead to further hardship. It will lead to further energy poverty. That is why we are opposing it here this evening.

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