Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has called on Taoiseach Simon Harris to scrap his government’s planned tax hikes on petrol and diesel.

Speaking ahead of bringing forward a Dáil motion on the issue, which will be debated on Tuesday evening, the Donegal TD said that the government’s planned hikes target ordinary workers and families who have to use their cars to go to work and to bring their kids to school at a time when they are already struggling.

Teachta Doherty said:

“Simon Harris must scrap his government’s plan for two more hikes in petrol and diesel prices.

“These hikes are targeting ordinary workers and families who have to use their cars to go to work and to bring their kids to school at a time when they are already struggling.

“The reality is that this government is completely out of touch with the financial pressures so many people are facing.

“Fuel prices have risen by more than 30 percent in the past three years. The AA Ireland’s latest monthly Fuel Price Survey has reported a surge in petrol and diesel prices over the recent period, with fears the cost of fuel will soon rise to €2 per litre.

“These are the highest prices reported in 2024 with almost a 13c increase in petrol and 9c increase in diesel since January 2024.

“Yet as of April 1st, the government chose to increase the price of petrol and diesel for households despite the fact that many households continue to struggle under the cost-of-living crisis.

“Instead of focusing all its efforts on reducing living costs, this government seems determined to increase them, ploughing ahead with two further increases in fuel costs for workers and families this year.

“As households continue to struggle under the cost of living crisis, the government’s planned increases simply cannot be allowed to happen.

“As the gap between fuel prices North and South continue to widen, the very viability of businesses and petrol stations in border counties will also be under threat, with petrol set to be 20 cent per litre and diesel set to be 7 cent per litre more expensive in the South compared to the North.

“Right now people need help with the cost of living.

“Sinn Féin’s motion is clear that these hikes must be scrapped and the hike introduced on April 1st must be reversed.”