Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke calls on local TDs to support scrapping planned carbon tax increase
Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, has called on local TDs to wake up to the cost of living crisis and state publicly if they support dropping the carbon tax hike on home heating fuels and energy that is due to be introduced in May.
Speaking today about the issue, Deputy Clarke said:
“Workers and families face increases in the cost of energy and home heating that they simply cannot afford.
“The cost of electricity, gas and home heating oil has spiralled and the government are failing to respond adequately. People here in Longford Westmeath are really struggling.
“Instead of supporting households, this out of touch government plan to increase prices by increasing the carbon tax on home heating fuels in May.
“Sinn Féin have been consistent in calling for this carbon tax increase to be scrapped.
“The government said they were increasing the carbon tax to change people’s behaviour. People’s behaviour is already changing because of price rises. They are turning off the heating because they simply cannot afford it.
“Today a member of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Dr. Cara Augustenborg, echoed these views and called for the carbon tax hike to be deferred.
“It is time for the government to see sense. Households in Longford Westmeath need support, not further price rises."
“Sinn Féin have called on the government to scrap the planned Carbon Tax hike and immediately introduce a package of measures to support workers and families.
“We will continue to hold this government to account until they change their position.
“I am calling on my fellow elected representatives in Longford Westmeath Peter Burke, Robert Troy and Joe Flaherty to say if they will back scrapping these unfair carbon tax increases. They must make clear if they support people here in Longford Westmeath struggling with the rising cost of living, or if they will insist on this unfair tax at a time when people are already under huge financial pressure.”