Meath East TD Darren O’Rourke calls for Government to delay fuel tax increase as prices remain high

Meath East TD Darren O’Rourke has called on the Government to halt planned increases in excise duty on petrol and diesel due to ongoing concerns over the cost-of living crisis.

The Sinn Féin TD said the Government should postpone the planned return of fuel excise duty to its full rate, arguing that the current situation was putting further pressure on households.

His comments come as opposition parties have urged the Government to delay the planned increases amid concerns over the rising cost of fuel.

Opposition parties have argued that proceeding with the planned excise duty increases would add further costs for households at a time when fuel prices are already high.

In April the Government increased temporary fuel excise cuts to 32c on a litre of diesel and 27c for petrol.

However, those reductions are due to be unwound on a phased basis between September and December.

The latest calls are for the Government to reconsider that approach and delay the increases while fuel prices remain elevated.

Mr O’Rourke is among those calling for action. He said that said while the excise cuts are temporary, the coalition should not unwind them, saying it "absolutely shouldn't happen".

"Because we know the price at the fuel pump is increasing, we know the fuel costs are not a discretionary spend for families as they have to spend that money, and on top of everything else in a cost-of-living crisis it is simply unaffordable.

"We warned Government of this, they didn't hear our warnings, and we see the price of the pumps increasing and increasing.

"Families simply cannot afford this. The ball is in the Government's court, but they need to respond to it."

He added he believes a lower uptake than expected in supports for hauliers and farmers is due to "the complexity of the application system".