Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Kenny TD, has urged government to scrap plans to increase excise duty at midnight tonight.  This increase – the second in three months – will see the price of petrol rise by 4c per litre and diesel rise by 3c per litre. 

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said:

“Tonight at midnight, hard-pressed workers and families are due to be hit with yet another fuel price hike imposed on them by this government. Sinn Féin are clear that it must not go ahead. We are calling on government to see sense and scrap this plan.

“People are already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis. They need a government that has their backs, not a government that is imposing yet another hit to their pockets.

“This government has already introduced a hike in April which saw a rise in petrol by 4c per litre, and a 3c per litre rise in diesel.  In the space of barely three months, that means motorists have seen their fuel increase by 8c and 6c per litre respectively. 

“Many people have no choice but to use their cars; to get to work, school or to college. Government has resoundingly failed to deliver a reliable public transport network especially in rural Ireland, meaning there is no credible alternative for many people.

“In April, Sinn Féin urged the government to save the public from these increases. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens simply refused to listen. 

“I am urging them again to ensure these price hikes don’t go ahead at midnight tonight. These planned hikes must be scrapped. Government should instead focus on helping people hit by the cost-of-living crisis, rather than punishing them even further.”