Leader Peadar Tóibín says the staggered return to high prices is more punishment for struggling workers in a cost-of-living crisis, and the party’s motion tomorrow (WEDS) calls for a halt on fuel price hikes
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín is calling on the Government to stop fuel price hikes, in his cost-of-living motion in the Dáil tomorrow.
He said: “They are going to roll back the cuts brought in after the people took to the streets over prices in April.
“This is piling on more costs and pressure on people, when they are already struggling to pay for motor fuel.
“Ireland is one of the most expensive places in the world to live, because of Government policy. These fuel hikes are a prime example of that. We already have some of the highest fuel taxes in Europe.
“They won’t listen to the people on this. They have told them loudly and clearly fuel prices are too high. Now they’re putting them back up again. This is wrong.”
He added: “Households are being hit from all sides. Electricity and gas prices are due to rise from tomorrow when ESB’s retail division Electric Ireland puts up prices that will cost every household €138 more a year for electricity and €117 for gas.
“ESB has hiked the prices of its public charging points recently too. It means it now costs more to charge up your car at an ESB public charging point, than it does to fill your car with fuel. That is price gouging by a state company.”
The Aontú motion calls for a halt to increases on motor fuel taxes; as well as a stop on annual increases to carbon tax.
The party will put forward the Reduce the Cost of Living motion on Wednesday.
In it, they call for excise cuts – brought in after the fuel protests – to remain beyond their July 31 deadline. It also calls for carbon taxes not to be increased, as they are due to be, in October.
