I have been asking for the last number of weeks at Business Committee meetings for a debate on a farming issue. There are 9,000 farmers without ACRES payments - 2023 payments and 2024 payments. These farmers need to pay their bills urgently. Tomorrow morning, with a carbon tax up on people's backs again, it is becoming impossible to live. We need a debate here to see where these payments are and why they are not being paid out to farmers, as well as on the carbon tax, which they cannot afford.

Sentiment score: 0.04

Another carbon tax increase will hit people hard in the pocket tomorrow morning. Last October, carbon tax increases hit motorists in the pocket as petrol and diesel increased from €56 per tonne to €63.50 per tonne. Tomorrow's increase will hit people using gas, home heating oil, coal and briquettes. Household gas bills will rise by €17. The cost of home heating oil will rise by €19 per 900 l. It now costs €160 extra for 900 l of home heating oil and 17 cent extra for a litre of petrol or diesel since the carbon tax began. Carbon tax receipts topped the €1 billion mark last year. Independent Ireland called for a freeze on carbon tax increases in the run-up to the last election, as did many Independent TDs who have now changed their minds. Does the Taoiseach accept that this is hitting the most vulnerable in society and will he freeze any more increases in carbon tax?

Sentiment score: 0.13