Carbon tax just an excise hike
Monday November 30 2009
Fionnan Sheahan's article (Irish Independent, November 25) on the forthcoming carbon tax makes things a lot clearer.
The carbon tax will increase the cost of public transport, even though buses provide the best means to reduce our carbon emissions.
And, in certain cases, carbon-tax revenue will subsidise the price of peat briquettes -- one of the most carbon-polluting fuels.
At least now we can drop the pretence that it is a fiscal measure to improve our environment.
It is merely an excise hike, dipped in greenwash, with a squeeze of political expediency to make it more palatable.
Gerry Mullins
Chief Executive, Coach Tourism & Transport Council, Dublin 2
Irish Independent
