Fuel excise and urgent cost relief
Mary Lou McDonald and Mattie McGrath pressed for an emergency financial resolution to cut excise on petrol, diesel and home heating oil, arguing families needed immediate relief before the St. Patrick’s Day recess. The Chair repeatedly called time while they insisted the Government act without delay and hold a full debate.
The Dáil will not sit next week, as Deputy Canney has averted to, because of St. Patrick's Day. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that we act urgently this week on the matter of spiralling costs of petrol, diesel and home heating oil. I have put the proposal to the Taoiseach that a financial resolution be drafted and brought before us tonight, tomorrow night or at the earliest available opportunity to ensure that consumers and families see immediate relief and immediate price reductions. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Taoiseach is not taking this initiative. The EU authorities and the Commission can deal with VAT and no doubt will deal with other issues.
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The issue of excise is a matter for government and a matter for the House. Therefore, we are quite insistent that the Government act and bring forward this financial resolution this week.
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I was very disappointed with the Taoiseach's response to Deputy McDonald earlier. We need action now. We sleepwalked into this crisis. Blaming Ukraine and what goes on there is horrific. There is no excuse and the public know it. There is 64 cent in excise and carbon tax on every litre of petrol and 54 cent on every litre of diesel. This can be wiped away with the stroke of a pen. I demand a full debate. The Rural Independent Group has been on this for a long time. Anyone could have seen it coming. We need a debate. We need a resolution, as Deputy McDonald said, to strike out the charges and cut at least 50 cent from the price.
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People cannot afford to work, live, play or produce food. It is a crazy situation.
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The Taoiseach will go off for Paddy's day and I wish him well on his travels. I have no objection to it. He will leave the people languishing. The people are furious.
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They cannot heat their homes or anything else. We need a debate on this matter. We need a Dáil motion. We can do it-----
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I am sorry but it is such an important issue.
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The Government needs to be awoken from its slumber on this.