Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have spelled it out for the Government, but it consistently ignores it. It is interesting to draw a comparison between how it treats ordinary workers, families and people who do not have alternatives, and how it treats energy companies. We have looked at our windfall taxes which are before the Oireachtas at this point in time. Sinn Féin and others in the Opposition have pushed for the Government to go further. Time and again, the Government has dragged its feet and it continues to drag its feet on the windfall tax. While it will move to increase carbon taxes on ordinary workers and families tonight, it is leaving approximately €1 billion behind in the coffers of energy companies because it will not introduce that measure retrospectively. Government Members opposed our proposals at committee last week. The Government's treatment of ordinary workers and families is in stark contrast to its treatment of those energy companies. That tells us everything we need to know about this Government's approach to climate action and its approach to delivering a just transition. It means nothing to it.

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