Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has called on the government to not go ahead with the latest increase to carbon tax hike petrol and diesel takes effect from midnight.

The Donegal TD warned that the government’s plan will do real damage to hard-pressed households.

Teachta Doherty said:

“The government is about to make Ireland the most expensive place to buy diesel and one of the most expensive places to buy petrol in the EU.

“The cost-of-living crisis is not over. It is completely unacceptable for the government to be heaping more pressure on workers and families.

“The tax rise will add 2.1c to a litre of petrol, and 2.5c for diesel. These small increases add up. And put real pressure on households.

“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.

“This is not a climate measure, it is a punitive, regressive tax that punishes people that need to drive to work or drop their kids to school.

“Sinn Féin, in our alternative budget, outlined how you could stop and reserve recent carbon tax increases.

“Even at this eleventh hour the government can do the right thing and not increase taxes on petrol and diesel.

“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.”