O'Rourke demands Govt commit to cut in fuel tax to help motorists and hauliers
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Darren O’Rourke TD, has called for Government action to address the impact rising fuel costs are having on motorists and hauliers.
“With prices approaching two euro per litre at the forecourts, the Government must act to address the impact this is having on motorists and the haulage sector.
“I have been in touch with hauliers and bus operators throughout the week. All have expressed their deep concerns about the price and availability of fuel.
“Every one of them are struggling to operate with diesel prices at their current high level.
O'Rourke's party colleague and spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty TD has called for an immediate cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel that would reduce prices at the pump by 25 cents per litre overnight, and for excise duty to be removed entirely from home heating oil.
RTE are reporting that a proposal will go before the Dáil tomorrow that will cut fuel costs through a reduction in excise duties.
The changes would then take effect from midnight if as expected the Dáil passes the Financial resolution.
Work is believed to ongoing at the Department of Finance tonight on proposals to decrease the amount of excise duties on fuel.
Discussions in the Department are looking at an excise duty cut of between 15 to 20 cent per litre of diesel and petrol.
Forecourts across Meath have seen prices rising on an almost daily basis towards and beyond the two euro per litre mark putting families and businesses reliant on fuels for cars and commercial vehicles under serious strain.
The Meath Chronicle was inundated with comments about the spiralling costs of fuel. One person wrote: "Two cars in our house to get to work in Dublin. Put €30 diesel in to top car up, only 1 bar moved on the dial when it used to be three. Oil heating in house over €700 for 500 litres last week, and it's gone up again. Maybe if Government helped us out by reducing the big amount of tax they get on fuel."