The Taoiseach has warned there is only “uncertainty” for the rest of the year, as the country deals with the soaring cost of living. Micheál Martin said he fully accepts the enormous pressure inflation is putting on families, and he is “very concerned” about low-income households. “You can of course introduce a mini-budget to deliver direct cost-of-living payments, to cut rent, to cut childcare fees, to extend the fuel allowance, but you must also scrap the carbon tax increase due in May. “Next month’s carbon tax increase will mean an average increase in household bills of 140 euro a month,” Ms Murphy added. Mr Martin said it has asked for “more flexibility” around the energy tax directive and the VAT directive.

Source: Irish Examiner April 07, 2022 00:16 UTC