The Department of Finance has unveiled a document, revealing proposals to increase the carbon tax by €10 per tonne.

The document suggested the price hike would be effective if implemented into the 2020 budget.

A Sinn Féin representative has hit out at the proposal as "unfair and unfair" as the country prepares to transition to a zero-carbon economy.

David Cullinane TD said: "The transition to a zero-carbon economy has to be fair and just. The immediate priority must be to marshal the resources of the state to invest in alternatives such as better and more efficient public transport, reducing the cost of hybrid and electric cars and the associated infrastructure, and skilling up apprentices to roll out home retro-fit programmes. 

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"The vast majority of families do not have the means to purchase a new car nor the resources to invest in home adaptions. They need to be supported and not punished with increased taxes. 

"Increasing carbon taxes without significant investment in public transport is a tax on those towns and commuters without access to public transport."

(CM/MH)