Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has called on the government to cancel its plans to hike the price of petrol in October and to reduce taxes on petrol and diesel as households continue to struggle with high fuel costs.
The Donegal TD warned that the government’s punishing price hikes will push taxes on fuel to the highest in the EU.
Teachta Doherty said:
“This government plans to further hike the price of petrol and diesel this October.
“Sinn Féin would not increase the price of petrol and diesel at the pump in October and would reverse the punishing tax hike the government imposed on motorists in August.
“The government’s punishing tax hikes will make Irish motorists the most taxed in the EU.
“This comes after they increased fuel prices this month despite households continuing to struggle with the high cost of living.
“Instead of easing the burden on hard-pressed households, the government is determined to increase costs.
“This will see Irish households facing among the highest fuel prices in Europe.
“I have raised this again and again on the government and Minister for Finance, but it is clear that my calls have fallen on deaf ears and an out-of-touch government.
“Sinn Féin has consistently said that fuel prices must be kept under review and action taken if fuel prices continue to rise.
“The government promised to keep it under review but instead are determined to punish motorists and make life more expensive for workers and families.
“Workers and families depend on their cars to travel to work, to make a hospital appointment or visit their relatives.
“That is why Sinn Féin would not increase the price of petrol and diesel at the pump in October and would reverse the punishing tax hike the government imposed on motorists in August.
“It is time for the government to stop punishing households and threatening the trade and viability of businesses in the border region.
“The government must scrap its planned price hikes on petrol and diesel.
“Sinn Féin will continue to call on the government not to go ahead with their planned tax hikes on petrol and diesel this year.”
