Sinn Féin calls on Government to recall Dáil early over fuel excise cuts
James Cox
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to recall the Dáil from its summer recess to prevent the planned reversal of excise duty cuts on September 1st.
The excise cuts were part of a €750 million support package in response to national fuel protests that brought the country to a standstill in April.
The phased removal of the supports is due to start from September 1st. Nine cent will be added to a litre of petrol and 10 cent will be added to a litre of diesel as things stand.
The Dáil is currently due to reconvene on Wednesday, September 16th, so the first step of the supports being phased out will go ahead unless TDs return early.
In a letter to Martin, McDonald wrote: "I am asking you to recall the Dáil before September 1st to stop these increases going ahead.”
Sinn Féin's finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty also issued a statement on the matter.
“September 1st is still more than a week away. There is time to change course.
“The Taoiseach should recall the Dáil for a day, pass the necessary financial resolution and stop these petrol and diesel price increases from going ahead.”
He said fuel prices had "risen sharply in recent weeks, putting further pressure on workers, families and businesses”.
“Diesel is now averaging €1.92 per litre, having increased by 19 cent in just one month, while petrol has risen by 9 cent to €1.84."
A number of backbench Government TDs have also expressed their opposition to the removal of supports.
Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan told BreakingNews.ie that the expected phasing out of fuel measures "should be stalled".
"Since this decision was taken fuel prices are continuing to rise. There is no sight of a resolution in the Middle East, therefore we must re-evaluate our position as a Government on fuel prices."
Brennan said he has had "numerous conversations" with Tánaiste Simon Harris on the matter, including one late on Monday night.
He added: "I am confident he is fully aware of the consequences for so many sectors within our economy especially agriculture and road haulage. And in the Tánaiste's words, 'everything is still on the table in relation to fuel supports'."
Brennan said many people in his constituency would be directly affected by the phasing out of the temporary supports.
"In my opinion the Government made their decision as there seemed to be stability in relation to oil prices and the geopolitical stability worldwide. But we are all aware today that world oil prices continue to rise and we are all well briefed on the volatility of the situation in the Middle East... so now is not the time to start dropping these supports."