Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has urged cross-party support for a Sinn Féin motion that calls on government to scrap the planned carbon tax hike.

The increase in carbon tax on fuels used to heat homes is due to come into effect on May 1st and on transport fuels on October 12th.

Teachta Crowe said:

“Workers and families face a cost of living crisis as inflation and rising prices disproportionately impact the living standards of lower-income households.

“Low and middle-income households spend a higher proportion of their income on food, electricity, and home heating than higher-income households.

“For months now, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty has been warning the government about the cost of living.

“Instead of taking action, they put their head in the sand and have allowed rents, childcare, and energy costs to spiral out of control.

“They have even added to the burden of working families by slapping a carbon tax on heating the family home at a time when bills were already going through the roof.

“They just don’t get it. They don’t understand the pressure that workers and families are under and they need action now to stop those costs rising further.

“The price of gas has increased by 28% in the 12 months to January, the price of home heating has increased by 50% in the same period, the price of petrol by 30%, and the price of diesel by 32%.

“Increases in the cost of fuel are a cause of financial hardship for many households with the planned increase in carbon tax on fuels used to heat homes in May and transport fuels in October will increase fuel prices even further.

“That is why workers and families need immediate action and why the planned increase in carbon taxes must be scrapped.”