Roderic O’Gorman has condemned the Government for ‘chickening out’ during the fuel protest.
In wake of disruptive protests across the country this month, the Government announced a package of measures that amounted to €750 million.
The measures included a further cut in excise duty, while an increase in the carbon tax was pushed back to the autumn.
On The Hard Shoulder, the Green Party leader said the Government has spent “a lot of money” on measures that will not cut people’s bills in the long-term.
“It chickened out in terms of the changes to the carbon tax,” he argued.
“But more importantly, it's focused on the short term.
“Yes, support is needed in the short term - but not one cent of the €750 million that was given out last week is going to do anything for the long-term.
“It's not going to help people insulate their homes; it's not going to help people cut their bills in the long-term.”
The fuel protest in Dublin. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie. The Dublin West TD said that Ireland suffers from an “over-dependence on fossil fuels” and until that link is broken people’s standard of living will remain “entirely vulnerable” to the whims of foreign wars and leaders.
He added that he was especially concerned about the decision to delay an increase in the carbon tax.
“The carbon tax is the one part of our taxation system that is actually properly ring fenced to support three things,” he said.
“It supports increased social protection payments for the most vulnerable people in our society.
“It supports the warmer home schemes and home retrofits and it supports a specific environmental agriculture scheme, ACRES.
“We need… to ensure that people aren't at great risk of these energy price shocks in the long-term by making sure they're moving away from using fossil fuels.”
The fuel protest in Dublin. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie. One suggestion the Green Party has to cut people’s bills is for the Government to increase investment in household solar energy.
“Every household that's on fuel allowance, provide them with eight free solar panels and roll that out over a three or four year period,” Deputy O’Gorman urged.
“That is hundreds of thousands of households across our country that will immediately be getting free solar power, free electricity.
“The benefit that can give to the most vulnerable households in this country is absolutely significant.”
Main image: Roderic O'Gorman and people on the fuel protest. Pictures by: RollingNews.ie.
