Michael Ring has been defending the new measures in Budget 2020.
The Rural Development Minister has dismissed claims that the carbon tax is a surcharge on rural Ireland.
It was increased by €6 a tonne in Tuesday's budget, which resulted in petrol and diesel going up by 2 cent per litre.
However, Michael Ring says everyone will be affected and not just people living in rural parts of the country.
He says it's important efforts are made to reduce our carbon footprint:
He also commented there weren't enough planes to bring people out of Ireland the last time Fianna Fáil were in government.
That barb follows criticism of his department by Fianna Fáil Offaly TD Barry Cowen in the Dáil earlier this week.
Minister Ring believes people haven't forgotten what happened:
Westmeath Man Avoids Jail For Dublin City Punch-Up
Midlands Man Uses Survival Skills To Rescue Missing Teenagers
Midlands Ireland Conference Celebrates Regional Transformation
Westmeath Man Calls for Support In Fundraiser After MND Diagnosis
House Prices On The Rise In The Midlands
Drug Convictions Soar In Midlands
Dog Has New Best Friend After Offaly Rescue
TII Pressured To Provide Update On Major Midlands Road Project
Edenderry Festival Lineup Revealed
Midlands-Based Student Takes Bronze At Culinary Contest
New Legislation Just The First Step -Midlands Cancer Support Centre
Irish Credit Unions Hit Record Lending Levels
ADHD Ireland Issues Social Media Warning
Laois Footballer Tackles First Dates Ireland
New Jobs Announced For Midlands
Cancer Survivors Welcome ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ Mortgage Reform
Irish Cancer Society Calls For Support This Daffodil Day
Interactive Offaly Event Highlights Barriers Faced By Abuse Survivors
Lawyers Seek To Overturn Murder Conviction Over Midlands Shooting
Burglary Gang Breaks Into Midlands Shopping Centre