'Measures will not come close to what is required with skyrocketing fuel bills'

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, is in Galway City today as part of the party’s campaign to get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to reduce taxes on petrol, diesel and home heating oil.

Deputy Doherty said he is very concerned about reports that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael do not intend to reduce diesel by the maximum amount of 25c a litre. Giving the reduction directly at the pumps is the best way to help the general public and hauliers. Despite home heating oil doubling in price, it is reported that the government is refusing to reduce tax on home heating oil, abandoning hundreds of thousands of households to totally unaffordable bills.

He said: “Half measures like this from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael won’t cut it. It is not even close to what is required to deal with skyrocketing fuel bills.”

Deputy Doherty said: “The cost-of-living crisis was already pushing households to breaking point before this crisis. Bills have continued to rise week after week in rents, groceries, energy, broadband. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have piled on the pressure by increasing taxes and costs themselves and this week they sent letters to schools on the fees that they are bringing back for the Leaving and Junior Cert.

“For a month, they have watched on as fuel prices skyrocketed well beyond what workers and families could cope with. A budget that left workers worse off has added to the pressure now. People are beside themselves with worry. Limited savings are being wiped out with one fill of home heating oil, as prices doubled.

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“In these circumstances it is very concerning to hear reports that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael do not intend to reduce diesel by the maximum amount of 25c a litre. Giving the reduction directly at the pumps is the best way to help the general public and hauliers. Despite home heating oil doubling in price, it is reported that the government is refusing to reduce tax on home heating oil, abandoning hundreds of thousands of households to totally unaffordable bills.

“Sinn Féin representatives are out on the ground today in every constituency. It is crucial that pressure is maintained on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in the coming days. Half measures won’t cut it when people are under so much pressure. We need meaningful action to protect people. Half measures like this from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael won’t cut it. It is not even close to what is required to deal with skyrocketing fuel bills.”