AS the price of a bag of coal nears €30, County Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue has called on the Government to halt the next carbon tax increase, which is due on May 1.
With the country in the midst of an energy crisis, the Rural Ireland Independent Deputy feels the timing of another rise in this “unnecessary tax” is wrong.
“While the extra tax has already been applied to petrol and diesel since last autumn, it is only due to come into effect for the likes of coal at the start of May.
“Budget 2022 saw carbon tax increase from €33.50 to €41.00 per tonne,” Deputy O’Donoghue explained.
“In Limerick, the price of a bag of standard coal has increased by on average €6.50 per bag inside the last couple of weeks, and another increase is planned by suppliers from this week.
“This is due to several factors, including the volatile situation in Ukraine/Russia, and the price puts a bag of coal into the luxury basket for many households, which is a very sad situation,” he added.
Now with the Government looking to add several more euro to the price of a bag, which will bring it to around €30, Deputy O’Donoghue wants to know what planet Government Ministers are living on?
“By May, the combined VAT and carbon tax paid to the State will be more than €8 per bag,” he pointed out.
Deputy O’Donoghue also revealed that open fires will be a thing of the past before the close of this year, due to imminent new climate laws.
“The Government’s ongoing assault on the rural way of life, simply to keep the Green Party on side and cling to power, is having a profound impact on all rural communities.
“Minister Eamon Ryan has been given the power to sign regulations into law by September that will see all traditional coal and other fuel products nationwide – including solid fuel and peat briquettes – banned.
“Instead, only products that emit less than ten grams of smoke per hour can be purchased. This is ludicrous and will only elevate the costs associated with all such products,” he concluded.
