Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am all too aware of the real-life impact of the increase in the cost of oil. When I was young, we grew up in a home where heating was provided by oil. I well remember my parents trying to put together money to fill or half-fill the tank of oil. I am very aware of the reality and of the burden this imposes on many families. As the Deputy says, it is subject to a lot of fluctuation. However, he is specifically proposing that we make a move on carbon tax. If I may say so, I think it speaks to the Deputy's general approach to the issue of carbon tax. He says he is in favour of the carbon tax, but every time there is an increase coming he is against it, and on some occasions seeks to reverse it. Of course, he never goes back to all of the revenues that were collected to say that he would deal with that, or reduce previous budgets where carbon tax was increased. The Deputy knows well that these revenues are in part used to alleviate fuel poverty. On budget day, we publish transparently exactly where the money from the carbon tax is going to tackle fuel poverty, to help farmers in their journey to reduce emissions, and to help households with retrofitting.

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