Laois Sinn Féin senator wants zero carbon tax on oil and petrol
‘People across Laois are feeling the squeeze from every direction’ - Laois Senator Maria McCormack
The Laois Sinn Féin Senator is calling on the Government to back Sinn Féin emergency legislation to remove tax from the cost of home heating oil.
Senator McCormack said households across Laois are already under enormous pressure from the cost of living and cannot continue to absorb rising energy and heating costs.
The legislation, being brought forward by Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD this week, would remove carbon tax from home heating oil while prices remain high.
“People across Laois are feeling the squeeze from every direction. Groceries, electricity, heating and the basic costs of running a home are taking more and more out of household incomes.
“For families and older people who rely on home heating oil, filling the tank has become a huge expense. Some households simply cannot afford to fill it and are putting in whatever small amount they can manage.
“Yet despite the pressure people are under, the Government has refused to remove a single cent of carbon tax from home heating oil.
“That is simply not good enough. When people are struggling to heat their homes, Government needs to act.
“Pearse Doherty and Sinn Féin are bringing forward emergency legislation to remove the carbon tax from home heating oil for as long as prices remain high,” Senator McCormack said.
The Portlaoise based Senator added that the pressure is not confined to home heating oil, with motorists also facing extremely high petrol and diesel prices.
She said that for many people, particularly in rural areas like Laois, driving is not a luxury but a necessity to get to work, bring children to school and attend medical appointments.
“People are being hit from every direction — at the oil tank, at the petrol pump, in their electricity bills and at the supermarket checkout. They simply cannot continue to absorb these rising costs. Government needs to recognise the pressure households are under and take meaningful action to bring down the cost of living.”
“This is a practical measure that would put money back into people’s pockets when they need it most.
“I am calling on Government representatives to support this legislation. People need action on the cost of living, not more excuses,” the Laois senator said.