Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, the Taoiseach told the media the carbon tax is not a big issue in the grand scheme of things and that it was not a big deal. However, this is a big issue for households up and down the country where every euro counts and so a worn-out public is again left shaking their heads at the out-of-touch reaction from Ministers. People rightly ask where is the common sense and where is the sense of urgency or agility from the Government to respond to what is happening in people's daily lives. The carbon tax hike is the wrong decision at the wrong time. We have told the Government this time and again and more and more people are now coming to that view. Indeed, yesterday Dr. Cara Augustenborg of the Climate Change Advisory Council called for the hike to be deferred. This is an expert appointed by the Taoiseach's Minister to advise the Government on these matters. The Government's position is wrong and the Taoiseach must listen. People cannot afford a carbon tax increase. They do not have the money to give. Far too many lives are now defined by the awful choice between heating and eating. This hike can only make matters worse as it disproportionately affects those on low incomes, older people who struggle to stay warm and it will of course hit households in rural Ireland especially hard.

Tá an t-ardú ar an gcáin charbóin ar an 1 Bealtaine an rogha mícheart ag an am mícheart. Tá teaghlaigh ag streachailt cheana féin le billí fuinnimh atá ag ardú as cuimse agus ní féidir leo an t-ardú seo a íoc. Caithfear stop a chur leis. It is time for the Taoiseach and Government to see sense because households have been hammered by more than 35 energy price increases in the last year and people are saying they cannot take any more. I want the Taoiseach to tell hard-pressed workers and families the Government will not add to pressure already on them. I want him to tell them Government will scrap the carbon tax hike due on 1 May and I would like him to give people that assurance today.

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