Ken O'Flynn: Carbon tax is a tax - Taxi drivers forgotten

Ken O'Flynn challenges the government's fuel measures, arguing that short-term reductions and the so-called carbon tax amount to little real relief for workers and taxi drivers. He cites fuel price changes, accumulated revenues and the net cost of the proposed €200 million package to highlight the policy's shortcomings.

Key points

Ken O'Flynn says the government is giving with one hand and taking with the other. He describes the carbon tax plainly as a tax and criticises remarks by Sean Canney as out of touch with everyday realities for commuters, workers and taxi drivers.

Numbers and costs

O'Flynn refers to fuel-price figures raised during his address: an initial figure of €180 million, current Circle K figures of €228 million and an accumulated €120 million. He contrasts those sums with a roughly €200 million package and argues the government is effectively spending around £80 million net, while ordinary people face rising costs.

Who is affected

The speech focuses on the practical impact of the measures: workers who cannot work from home, people travelling to work, and taxi drivers who O'Flynn says have been completely forgotten in the policy response. He warns that small, piecemeal reductions will not address the wider burden.

Tone and reaction

O'Flynn delivers a sharply critical address, calling out perceived detachment among some politicians and urging attention to whom the measures actually help. The remarks underline a broader debate about fairness, tax policy and support for frontline transport workers.