Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

For instance, the budget 2022 carbon tax increase, which came into effect in October last year, added approximately 2 cent per litre in tax to petrol and diesel. The increase in rates for home heating fuels such as kerosene, gas and solid fuels was delayed until 1 May 2022 to mitigate impacts during the winter heating season. The May 2022 increase will add approximately €21.56 to the cost of 1,000 l of kerosene. It is clear, therefore, that carbon tax is not the cause of current energy price inflation. Taxation on energy products is not behind current price increases. Therefore, removing the carbon tax would serve very little purpose and have little effect in mitigating the cost of energy for consumers. However, it would undermine the Government's climate strategy. That is why we cannot support this motion.

I will turn to the Government's response to the increase in energy prices. Last month, the Government brought a Financial Resolution into this House providing for excise duty decreases on mineral oil taxes with effect from 10 March.

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