Naoise Ó Muirí: Government must prioritise energy decarbonisation
Naoise Ó Muirí challenged Sinn Féin and pressed the government on energy policy, questioning temporary carbon tax cuts and urging an urgent focus on decarbonisation ahead of the next cabinet meeting. He warned that reversing recent carbon tax increases would cost well north of 300 million and highlighted where those funds currently go.
Questions to Sinn Féin
Naoise Ó Muirí asks how long Sinn Féin's proposed temporary reductions would last, demanding a clear sunset clause and tighter targeting. He pressed for clarity on which programmes Sinn Féin would cut to fund the measures and urged transparency on who would benefit.
Budgetary consequences
Ó Muirí emphasised that the revenue from recent carbon tax increases funds energy upgrade works and supports for those in or at risk of energy poverty, including the fuel allowance and the working family payment. He warned against populist proposals that risk undermining those supports.
Renewables and storage
Arguing that long-term decarbonisation is the best route to energy independence and lower costs, he called on the government to prioritise offshore wind and long-duration battery storage. He urged ministers to make energy decarbonisation an absolute non-negotiable priority in upcoming cabinet decisions.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Comhairle, unfortunately Deputy Tobin has gone twice. He asserted that the government burned through 200 million tons of carbon in the last two weeks. I'd love to see him make him see him stand that allegation up because it seems it's an enormous figure. I just welcome confirmation from Tánaiste that first of all the government is planning to take action on the issue, that a plan is being worked on at the moment and decisions to be taken at the next cabinet meeting and whatever will be done will be targeted. I just want to ask Sinn Féin how long would their proposed temporary reductions last? One year? Three years? Where is the sunset clause? Where is the targeting? Where is your targeting of your proposal at those who need help the most? I have a motion. Go raibh maith agat Comhairle. Ní léin a rachtaight agam, ní léin agam ach ruan Comhairle. Can I ask what programme of activity would Sinn Féin cut to pay for these reductions? As the opposition finance folks and well knows the estimated cost of reversing carbon tax increases in the last two years is well north of 300 million. That money directly funds energy upgrade works, schemes for those in or at risk of energy poverty, as well as the fuel allowance, the working family payment and several other vital schemes. Populist politics, a carol of poor policymaking. It's easy to make assertions like that over there but government requires difficult decisions at times. So Minister, ultimately decarbonising our energy system is the best way to secure energy independence and reduce costs for families. That means clearing the decks for progress in offshore wind like others have mentioned here and clearing the decks, as Deputy Heenan says, for progress in long-duration battery storage in particular so that renewable energy can be held on this island and made available for when it's needed the most. So Ára, I urge you to make energy decarbonisation an absolute non-negotiable priority for this government. Go raibh maith agat Comhairle. Go raibh maith agat an tate, Albert Óleann.
