Clarke demands urgent action as fuel prices surge

Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath Sorca Clarke has called on the government to take immediate action to protect households, farmers, and small businesses as diesel prices surge following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Deputy Clarke said families and workers across Longford Westmeath are already struggling with the cost of living and cannot afford another wave of price increases. It follows the doubling of the cost of home heating oil in recent days.

Teachta Clarke said: “People are watching diesel prices climb again. In some cases, diesel has passed €2 a litre. For thousands of workers in Longford Westmeath – commuters, farmers, tradespeople and small businesses – diesel is not a luxury. It is how they get to work and keep their livelihoods going.

“This follows the doubling of the cost of home heating oil in recent days.

“Families are already stretched to the limit by soaring rents, sky-high grocery bills and rising energy costs. They cannot carry the burden of another fuel price shock.”

Deputy Clarke criticised Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for refusing to take meaningful action while prices continue to rise.

“Once again the government’s response has been to sit on their hands. People cannot wait while ministers say they are ‘monitoring the situation’. This is happening right now.”

She said the government must introduce immediate measures to protect people from the rising cost of fuel.

“First, they must scrap the planned increase in carbon tax, which is due to come into effect shortly. Pushing ahead with another tax increase while fuel prices are soaring would be completely out of touch.

“Secondly the government must now reduce the tax on petrol and diesel during this crisis.

“Third, they need to bring forward targeted cost-of-living supports for households already under pressure.

“Finally, there must be a serious crackdown on price gouging to ensure companies do not use this international crisis as an excuse to rip people off.”

Deputy Clarke said the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to recognise the scale of the pressure facing ordinary people.

“People in Longford Westmeath cannot simply absorb these increases. For many families, every extra euro at the pump means less money for food, heating or childcare.

“This is not an abstract economic issue – it is a real cost-of-living crisis affecting real people right now.

“This government must stop standing back and start standing up for workers, families, farmers and small businesses.”