Aontú has called for planned increases on fuel taxes to be cancelled, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.
The party has put forward a Private Members Bill that requests a stop on the price hikes, which will come in once the temporary excise cuts expire.
The excise cuts on fuel – brought in in response to nationwide protests – are due to expire at the the end of July.
In its Reduce The Cost Of Living private members bill, Aontú asks: “To cancel the planned increase in fuel taxes on diesel of 32 cents, on petrol of 27 cents a litre and on green diesel of 2.4 cents.”
Leader Peadar Tóibín said this issue must be resolved before the Dáil term ends in July.
“If the reductions are not extended, it means prices will go back up to 32c a litre for diesel and 27c a litre for petrol.
“The Government must commit to halting planned hikes and provide the Irish people some respite.”
The Aontú bill – which will be presented next week – also asks to end increases in carbon tax.
He said: “Businesses and people are dependent on diesel. They don’t have an alternative. Yet this Government plans to increase carbon tax again.
“Carbon tax didn’t exist until a few years ago and it took in over one billion euro last year. In the jaws of a cost of living crisis, this government made more on fuel taxes than ever.
“This is absolutely wrong. At the end of July it’s the government’s objective to put the prices of diesel and petrol back up. In October, carbon is due to go up, as it is due to do every October until 2030.
“This Bill calls for the fuel prices not to go back up, and carbon tax not to be increased, at a time of sheer pressure in the cost-of-living crisis.”
