Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has called on the government to cancel its plans to hike the price of petrol and diesel in October, warning that households cannot afford higher costs.
From 9th October 2024, rate increases will add, inclusive of VAT, 2 cent per litre to petrol and 2.5 cent per litre to auto diesel.
Pearse Doherty, the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, warns that the hikes will push taxes on fuel to the highest in the EU.
He said: “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.”
Deputy Doherty said the prices have a great impact on border counties as petrol gets significantly more expensive in the South compared to the North.
“It is time for the government to stop punishing households and threatening the trade and viability of businesses in the border region,” he added.
