Sir, – Further to Neil Briscoe's report ("Oil falls but pump prices remain high", Motors, September 24th), motorists are being ripped off once more at the petrol pumps. He notes that despite a dramatic fall in the price of a barrel of oil in recent months, the average cost of petrol has not come down here, but has actually gone up! He maintains that we should now be paying 17 cent less per litre for our petrol and diesel.
What a difference 17 cent per litre would make to hard-pressed motorists, especially those who have long distances to commute to their place of work. Where are the powers that be – who have no hesitation in regularly raising motor taxes – when it comes to an anomaly like this? It was not surprising that the Irish fuel retailers, when contacted by your newspaper, preferred to remain silent. It goes without saying that they would up the prices at the pumps once there is any hint of a market rise.
It was also startling to read that Dermot Jewell, of the Consumer Association of Ireland, suspects that this disgraceful state of affairs is partially down to apathy on the part of consumers, who realise they have no power at the petrol pumps.
Come on then, motorists, show them this time. Throw off your lethargy and make your voices heard loudly on this latest affront to long-suffering car owners. – Yours, etc,
DENIS O’SHAUGHNESSY,
Janemount Park,
Limerick.