There were heated exchanges in the Dáil over excise increases on motor fuel which resulted in the House being suspended for a time. A row erupted over the partial increase in petrol, diesel and marked diesel excise duty after prices rose on April 1st.
Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty and Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae both sharply criticised the Government over the decision to reinstate excise charges on petrol, diesel and marked diesel that had been reduced in 2022 because of the cost-of-living crisis.
But Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said Sinn Féin should be honest about the 8 cent increase they proposed in their alternative budget which was higher than that planned by Government. He accused Mr Healy-Rae of having the luxury of never having to make a difficult decision and “telling everyone what they want to hear”.
During finance questions Mr McGrath outlined that the reduced excise of 21c a litre for petrol, 16c for auto diesel and 5.4c for marked diesel were introduced in 2022 and extended beyond the initial deadline of August 2022.
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Charges were increased on April 1st and a return to the original excise levels is expected on August 1st this year. However after that there will also be an increase in carbon emission charges in October from €56 to €63.50.
Appealing to the Minister not to apply further increases, Mr Doherty said that in many places a car is not a luxury and is the only way people can get to their place of work or to medical appointments or the supermarket.
He added that there are 390 petrol stations on the border and Government’s planned increases in excise would leave petrol 20c a litre cheaper across the border. Mr Doherty pointed out that the British government have extended excise reduction.
He asked what the Minister would say to Lifford service station which employed up to 50 people, or the businesses in Ballyshannon, Ballybofey, Cavan or Dundalk.
But Mr McGrath said the owners of those businesses did “deserve honesty and they should know that the Sinn Féin policy was to increase petrol by 8c and diesel by 6c in April. Despite what you said to them in private conversations go back and look at what you published and what you actually provided for” in Sinn Féin’s alternative budget.
“This is ultimately about managing the nation’s money responsibly.”
Mr Healy-Rae said “there comes a time when you can’t get blood out of a turnip” and motorists “can’t stick if for much longer” with petrol at nearly €1.80 a litre.
“God almighty, I beg you on behalf of the people who are on the road, do not be screwing them like you are doing. You are nailing them to the cross by insisting on putting back these increases.”
But Mr McGrath told the Kerry TD that he had the luxury of being permanently in opposition “going around telling everyone what they want to hear” and “you never make a difficult decision”.
Mr Healy-Rae said however said he had no luxury and paid the same high fuel prices as everybody else.
Mr McGrath said that over €1 billion had been provided in tax foregone by the Exchequer with the reduction. “I have given a commitment to keeping it under review” given the volatility in the market, he said.
When Mr Doherty said the Minister was not answering the question about what he would say to border petrol stations under pressure Mr McGrath said it was not true that the price differential would be 20c a litre cross-Border.
Mr Doherty said that “you made the decision to jack up the price. You are making the decision to do it in August and you are planning to do it in October again, and shame on you.”
Mr McGrath replied: “You just go around telling them all what they want to hear. That is what you do.”
Acting chairwoman Verona Murphy repeatedly called for order from both sides but after constant interruptions she suspended the House.
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