Waterford councillor calls for party colleagues to freeze carbon tax amid fuel prices

A Waterford councillor has called for his party colleagues in Government to freeze planned increases to the carbon tax.

Fianna Fáil’s Adam Wyse took to social media to address the rising cost of fuel amid the war in the Middle East.

In a video posted on Facebook, Cllr Wyse said his party colleagues can make a conscious effort to reduce these costs.

He stated: “If you've experienced a sudden jump in your cost of fuel or your heating expenses, we all know why.

“The world is in a very volatile place right now with the wars that are going on across the globe. And this is now affecting every single person in Ireland just like you and me.

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“The government does have a choice though. This May, the Government is planning to increase carbon tax once again.

“The government has a decision. They can either freeze carbon tax or freeze our homes and increase our petrol prices and diesel prices.”

Cllr Wyse went on to say that he has spoken to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers, on the issue.

“I, as a Fianna Fáil councillor with my party in government, have spoken to Minister Jack Chambers and asked that he would freeze the carbon tax increases for the next two years.

“There's over 400,000 people that are behind on their energy payments. These are the people we should be looking after, the people that are going to work and trying to make ends meet.

“Minister Chambers has since said that he's not going to make any changes to the budget because this could be a temporary situation.

“Yet people like you and me are being asked to make drastic changes to our budget overnight.”

He continued by describing the fears facing people who are struggling due to the rising costs of fuel.

“There's certain things that shouldn't frighten you in your own home. A letter coming through the letterbox, the sound of the emergent turning on or the sound of the fuel pump going off.

“It's a very difficult time for people and I'm calling for the Government to listen to what I'm saying because I'm speaking on behalf of the people that I represent in Waterford.

“And I hope that my own party, Fianna Fáil, will listen to these suggestions. I think this is common sense.

“I think the dogs on the street know that we need some sort of action by the Government.”

Cllr Wyse concluded by urging anyone who is struggling with fuel poverty to contact him for assistance.