Government-supporting rural Independents are facing mounting criticism over their backing of a coalition that will implement further carbon tax increases on May 1st, despite a sharp rise in energy costs linked to the ongoing war in Iran.
The pressure has been particularly acute for Minister of State Sean Canney, who leads the Independent group of ministers at Cabinet. His recent defence of the carbon tax, and his characterisation of it as “not a tax”, has drawn criticism both from opposition figures and fellow rural TDs.