Clarke calls on Government to cut rising fuel prices

Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, has called on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs to support her party's Dáil legislation to cut the price of petrol, diesel and home heating oil.

Deputy Clarke said families and workers in her constituency are being "pushed to the brink" by spiralling fuel costs.

“Across my constituency, people are being hammered by rising fuel costs, and yet this government continue to sit on their hands. That is why Sinn Féin have brought forward this legislation to cut the price of petrol and diesel by 25c a litre and the price of home heating oil by €183," Teachta Clarke said.

Teachta Clarke said the situation is being made worse by government decisions.

“Instead of stepping in to help, the government have actually made things worse by pressing ahead with further tax increases on home heating oil. That is the wrong decision at the worst possible time.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could act today to reduce fuel prices. They could scrap the planned increase in taxes on home heating oil. They could cut excise on petrol and diesel to bring prices down at the pump.

“These are practical measures that would put money back in people’s pockets, but this government are choosing not to act.

“Sinn Féin’s motion calls on the government to immediately reduce the cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil through Sinn Féin’s Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill, which would cut excise and deliver real relief to households.

“TDs in this constituency, Peter Burke, Michael Carrigy, Robert Troy and Kevin Boxer Moran, now have a choice to make.

“They can stand with workers and families who are under real pressure, or they can continue to back a government who are refusing to act.

“I am calling on them to support Sinn Féin’s motion and to back the legislation we have put forward to bring fuel prices down," Teachta Clarke concluded.