The government have announced that they will introduce a carbon tax in December's budget. John Gormley has stated publicly that this carbon tax will mean an increase in petrol and diesel prices following the budget. The money raised from this tax will fund green projects in 2010 to reduce the country's carbon emissions. Mr. Gormley states that the polluter must pay. We have major reservations about the carbon tax and we believe that it is another method of taxing cars which are already severely over taxed. There are several key facts of which you should be aware

1. Cars accounted for less than 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland in 2007. Since then there has been a significant change to greener cars with less co2 emissions mainly due to the European regulation "Clean Air For Europe" (CAFE). This will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions significantly below 10% in 2008 and 2009 and reduce them even further in the coming years.

2. What is the government going to do about the other 90% source of greenhouse gas emissions. Why do they concentrate on cars all the time. Argiculture accounts for more than 30% of these emissions but the government will not touch agriculture because of the strength of the farmer's lobby (good luck to them). Energy production (ESB) account for another 30% but they will be exempted from this new carbon tax. Home heating accounts for 10% and you can bet your mortgage that they will carbon tax home heating oil, gas, coal and turf as well as cars. They will take the soft option all the time and avoid confrontation with strong organised lobbies at all costs.

3. Cars are already excessively taxed. They have a vehicle registration tax (VRT) which is co2 emissions based (Isn't VRT isn't already a carbon tax ???) , VAT and an annual road tax charge. VRT and VAT average €7k for every new car sold in the country. The government are now adding a fourth tax on cars. When will they learn that excessive taxation doesn't work. How many jobs have to be lost and how many businesses have to close before they realise that they cannot continue to raise taxes on cars.

4. Carbon tax is supposed to be revenue neutral which we believe means that if they impose a carbon tax on cars, they should have reduced the other taxes on cars namely VAT, VRT and annual road tax. This is not going to happen. Fianna Fail will allow the Green Party to raise these carbon taxes and use the money generated to fund their pet projects in 2010. This is hypocricy at best and will make motoring in Ireland the most expensive in Europe. This could be accepted if we had a comprehensive, efficient public transport system in Ireland where we could all use the bus or train to get to work and play. However, we have the worst most disorganised most expensive transport system in Europe. They will now add significantly to the cost of movement within our little Island. It is going to cost you more to get to work, go to a match, etc. and these guys don't really care. All they care about is looking good in the eyes of their supporters no matter what the consequences are for the other 96% of the population.

We believe that this carbon tax is a sop from Fianna Fail to the Green Party. They have ruined this country by pandering to vested interests irrespective of the consequences to the majority of the population. They are not going to stop. You will pay more for petrol, diesel and home heating fuels from 9th December on to allow the Green Party to pander to its memebership. Its under the guise of a carbon tax to fool you into thinking they really care for the environment. They are really taking money out of your pocket to keep the Green Party and its 4% support base happy. When will this ever end.