Time is almost up for the government as the increase in the Carbon Tax comes into force on Thursday, according to Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy.

Councillor Carthy said that internal squabbles and panic over polls cannot hide the fact that the government is continuing to implement policies that are causing hardship, costing jobs and taking money out of the pockets of hard pressed families.

The Midlands Northwest candidate said: "The proposed hike in the Carbon Tax comes into effect this Thursday unless Fine Gael and Labour finally comprehend that this measure will cost jobs and increase the hardship being suffered by many families.

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"Myself and others have been campaigning against this increase for a number of months. My online petition garnered hundreds of signatures from people who are concerned that they simply won't be able to afford this unfair price hike and retailers who fear for the future of their business.

"People are already finding it hard enough to get by, let alone adding another €1.20 onto the price of a bag of coal. A price increase of this nature will disproportionately affect people on lower incomes, the elderly and the vulnerable.

"With the Labour Party mired in internal squabbles and Fine Gael preoccupied with opinion polls, it is clear that the government is oblivious to concerns of communities."

(CD/JP)