Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), John Brady, has said the Government’s decision to recall the Dáil before September 1st is an admission that its policy of increasing the cost of petrol and diesel has failed, an acknowledgement of the stress families across Wicklow are already under, and a clear result of the pressure exerted by Sinn Féin to reverse course.
Teachta Brady said:
“The Government’s decision to recall the Dáil is an admission that they got this wrong.
“Government was warned in July about the impact these increases would have on workers, families and businesses, but Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and their Independent supporters voted against Sinn Féin amendments which would have stopped the increases from going ahead.
“Now, with petrol and diesel prices having risen sharply in recent weeks, and significant pressure exerted by Sinn Féin and people from across the state to reverse course, the Government has been forced to recall the Dáil to deal with the consequences of its own failed policy.
“This is a significant climbdown and, most importantly, it is good news for workers and families who were facing another significant increase in the cost of filling their cars.
“Families across Wicklow are already feeling the pinch at the petrol pump.
“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.
“For many people across the county, particularly in rural communities, there is simply no alternative to the car for going about their day-to-day business – getting to work, bringing children to school, or attending appointments.
“At a time when international factors are already pushing fuel prices higher, the Government should not be making matters worse by increasing taxes at the pump.
“Recalling the Dáil is only the first step.
“On September 1st, the Government had planned to increase the cost of diesel by 10 cent per litre and petrol by 9 cent per litre. This was just the first in a series of increases which would see the price of diesel increase by 34 cent per litre and petrol by 29 cent per litre by December.
“While the indication is that the September and October increases have now been postponed, the Government must now make it absolutely clear that other planned increases in the price of petrol and diesel will not proceed.
“Household budgets are already under pressure from rising costs. Any further increase at the pump will mean less money available for groceries, bills, childcare and other essentials.
“It will also increase costs for farmers, tradespeople, contractors and small businesses across Wicklow, with the risk that these additional costs will feed through into higher prices across the local economy.
“The Government has recognised that the pressure on families is too great to proceed with the September and October increases.
“Now they need to bring certainty that no further increases will proceed.”
ENDS