Waterford TD denounces ‘blatant lies’ regarding Sinn Féin’s position on carbon tax
Waterford TD Conor McGuinness was speaking in the aftermath of comments made in the Dáil
A Waterford TD has denounced what he has described as “blatant lies” regarding Sinn Féin’s position on carbon tax.
Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness took to social media in the aftermath of comments made by Independent Ireland TD Richard O’Donoghue.
In a post on Facebook, Deputy McGuinness said: “Why are the representatives of the Independent Ireland political party repeatedly telling porky pies about the carbon tax?
“They repeat a blatant lie that Sinn Féin voted to introduce this tax in 2021, when in reality it was introduced by Fianna Fáil in 2010.
“Funnily enough half of Independent Ireland are Fianna Fáilers that couldn’t get along with their party locally.”
He went on to criticise Deputy O’Donoghue in particular and further outline Sinn Féin’s position on carbon tax.
“That includes Limerick TD and spoofer-in-chief Richard O’Donoghue, who was a Fianna Fáil elected representative when the carbon tax was introduced and remained in that party for a further five years, before leaving because they wouldn’t select him to run in the 2016 election.
“Sinn Féin consistently voted against the carbon tax since 2010, and have opposed every single increase in the tax over the past 16 years.
“If they lie about this despite all the evidence, what else are they making up?”
During a debate in the Dáil on the Dublin Airport passenger cap, Deputy O’Donoghue criticised Sinn Féin for its position on carbon tax.
He pointed out that Sinn Féin voted in favour of the Climate Action Bill in 2021.
Deputy O’Donoghue argues that this legislation paved the way for carbon tax increases in recent years.
While the 2021 legislation didn’t introduce any tax increases, it created legally binding emissions-reduction targets and carbon budgets.
Whilst Deputy McGuinness was still a local councillor at that time, fellow Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane voted in favour of the bill.