Two Waterford Government TDs have voted against proposed Sinn Féin legislation which sought to remove carbon tax from home heating oil.

Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler and Fine Gael TD John Cummins voted against the proposal on Wednesday night, while Waterford Sinn Féin TDs Conor D. McGuinness and David Cullinane supported it.

Sinn Féin said its proposal was aimed at providing immediate relief to households facing the cost of filling their home heating oil tanks.

Deputy McGuinness has criticised the two Government TDs following the vote, saying they had a choice between supporting the measure or waiting for measures to be introduced in the Budget.

He said home heating oil had become increasingly expensive and claimed families were cutting back on groceries, electricity and other essentials as a result.

Deputy McGuinness also said Government ministers had acknowledged the increase in home heating oil prices and were considering measures ahead of the Budget.

However, he argued households needed more immediate assistance and said Sinn Féin’s proposal would have reduced the tax burden on home heating oil.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Lowry Independent group voted against the Sinn Féin legislation, according to Deputy McGuinness.

While both Government TDs voted against the Sinn Féin proposal, the Government is separately considering measures to address home heating oil costs as part of Budget 2027.

Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris has strongly indicated that a tax reduction on home heating oil could form part of the Budget, while Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers has said the issue is receiving “specific consideration”.

However, no final decision on the measure has yet been announced.

McGuinness said pressure would now remain on the Government to provide relief for households struggling with heating costs.