The Green Party explains the benefits of introducing a carbon tax.
The Green Party believes that a tax on carbon emissions would have positive environmental and economic implications.
Carbon tax, the government's plan for rapping the knuckles of polluters could be brought in from next year.
At a press conference, the party outlined six of the best reasons why a carbon tax would be good for the country. The Green Party argues that it is key to tackling climate change and would be a fair and efficient tax system. Also claiming the tax would be good for business, renewable energy and would encourage greater efficiency. Eamon Ryan says that Ireland should be a world leader in renewable energy.
We have some of the best wind resources in the world and we have no wind industry.
He says that other countries have already introduced carbon taxes and there is evidence that they have begun to work.
Many in the business community oppose the proposed levy. Donal Buckley, IBEC, says that the business has been consistently opposed to the introduction of a carbon tax. He argues that such a tax will not significantly reduce emissions. The tax would have a negative impact on competitiveness, inflation and employment.
A final decision on the introduction of the tax is due to be made by the government in the autumn.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 August 2003. The reporter is Vivienne Traynor.
