The Rural Independents are accusing the government of not doing enough to support households and motorists despite collecting €3.75B in energy taxes. The data was supplied by the Government in response to a Parliamentary Question. In 2022 the State collected a record €3.75 billion in energy taxes, representing an increase of nearly €500 million or 15% from the previous year. Specifically, carbon tax and energy VAT income alone surged by 30.7%, increasing from €1.7 billion in 2020 to €2.2 billion in 2021. The Rural Independents are seeking more relief measures for rural communities, farmers, and vulnerable citizens who depend on using personal vehicles and fossil fuel heating systems. The TD grouping is accusing the Government of failing to provide adequate support given other increases in the cost of living and are now calling for the energy VAT rate and carbon tax to be set to zero until the crisis abates. The Government announced yesterday that energy VAT will remain at 9% until the end of October and the Carbon tax is due to increase in May. €790.3M in carbon tax was collected last year. Group leader Mattie McGrath says the staggered increase in excise taxes on fuel announced yesterday is also an insufficient response on the Government’s part.
