Diesel costs for hauliers
Deputy Healy-Rae argues that soaring diesel prices are crippling hauliers and urges a bigger rebate and lower tax take. The Taoiseach says fuel prices are rising globally, there is limited room for manoeuvre, and the rebate scheme is being kept under review.
There are hundreds of lorries and drivers outside Leinster House at the Merrion Street end today. Surely the Taoiseach is not oblivious to what is going on and the trouble that they are in. The Taoiseach must realise that they cannot carry on for much longer.
This day last year, diesel fuel cost €1.15 a litre. Today, it is €1.60 for the same amount.
The increase is 33%. They are not able to carry that. A levy of 2% of taxes on a litre at €1.60 yields way more than when it was €1.15 last year. I am asking the Government to do something about its tax take. A rate of 13.5% is applied on top of the carbon tax and everything else.
Comment on this
Just one other thing. On the rebate, I am asking the Government to increase the diesel rebate from 7.5 cent to 15 cent or 16 cent.
Comment on this
There are doing something in other countries and Biden is doing something in America.
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We must do something here for those fellows because there will be no food on the shelves and we have to realise that that is going to happen.
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As I said already, I accept there is globally a massive increase in energy and fuel prices. It is across Europe and across the world. We do not have much room for manoeuvre on that at all, as has been suggested. Factually, that is the position. We all need to deal in facts on that.
Comment on this
I take the Deputy's point on the rebate scheme. There is always potential around the rebate scheme. It has already been increased, as the Deputy knows, and that increase was maintained for 2022. There are other issues pertaining to the industry and we, and the Department in particular, are engaging with the industry and its official representatives on those issues.