‘Woeful, woeful spoof’ – Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin clash over carbon tax
Both parties accused the other of ‘spoof’ and ‘guff’ in a clash over Sinn Féin’s proposed removal of carbon tax from home heating oil.
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have clashed in the Dáil over carbon tax proposals.
Sinn Féin is bringing forward emergency legislation this week to remove carbon tax from home heating oil.
The Government needs to accept the proposal to prevent more fuel protests, the party’s leader Mary Lou McDonald told Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers at Leaders’ Questions.
Ms McDonald said: “That’s your job. So, it’s time now to stop talking about all of the things you can’t control and time to act on the things that you can.
“And that means cutting taxes to bring down fuel prices. What we need now is decisive action that puts workers and families first.”
Mr Chambers said Budget 2027 is being designed and delivered against a significant international backdrop and risk to the Irish economy, in the midst of geopolitical uncertainty.
Sinn Féin’s proposal, he claimed, amounts to political opportunism.
Mr Chambers said: “It would be better if you just came forward with constructive and helpful input, rather than seeking to politicise everything.
“‘How can Sinn Féin gain’ is the constant direction from your party. How you’ll exploit different areas and different people across our economy.
“Also, I look forward to reading your pre-Budget submission, because we know whilst you, you know, lose attachment to money in the Russian economy, you play Russian roulette with the Irish economy when it comes to all your pre-Budget submissions.”
Ms McDonald replied: “Jesus, that’s woeful, woeful spoof, woeful spoof.
“You see, you don’t have to speculate on anything, minister.
“Because we’ve been very clear to you now, for months and months and months on end, that you have to give assistance to the, what is, 700,000 households who heat their homes with heating oil, and you’ve done nothing except give this kind of guff and try act to distract.”
Mr Chambers said the Government will moderate day-to-day spending to protect Ireland’s long-term future while Sinn Féin cannot be trusted with Ireland’s economy.
“You’re the party of guff day in, day out,” he replied to Ms McDonald’s criticism.
“You’re full of waffle, full of no solutions. That is Sinn Féin day in, day out.
“The reason I say that is economic management and protecting the economy can never be described as guff.”