Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin will oppose the carbon charge. With today's budget the Government launched yet another attack on rural Ireland. It is only weeks since many people in many parts of Tipperary, in my constituency, such as Cashel, Cahir, Roscrea and Nenagh were told they would soon be without their Express bus service. People in my constituency are limited by this and will be more reliant on their cars which the Government is trying to get rid of. The Government has said to these people that it simply does not care and that it will make it even more difficult and expensive to get around as motor fuel will increase in price courtesy of the carbon tax. The knock-on effect will be increased prices of food for families. The people living in rural Ireland will be the most effected by this. Covid has left most people with less money in their pockets and now the Government is dipping into those pockets to get a bit more. It is wrong and means that some families whose incomes have nose-dived will have to consider getting rid of a second car that they might need for work because it is too expensive to run.

The Government announced investments in DART which is probably needed, but there was no mention of public transport in rural Ireland. What does the Government expect people in my constituency to do? Are they to walk or cycle? This is another needless attack on rural Ireland. I hope the Government is pleased with itself after today.

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