Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin asking him to recall the Dáil next week so it can vote to delay the first stage of the planned fuel excise duty cuts reversal due on 1 September.
Deputy McDonald has also called for any further changes to the existing excise duty rate on petrol and diesel to be delayed until after October’s budget.
The demands have been made in a letter to Mr Martin overnight, which is likely to further ratchet up pressure on Government amid growing debate on whether the planned excise duty cuts reversals should take place.
Ongoing uncertainty abroad and protests at home led to the coalition in April agreeing to a cut of 32 cent on a litre of diesel and 27 cent on a litre of petrol.
That plan was extended in May until the end of summer, with a phased return to full prices planned between 1 September and the start of December.
Specifically four stages of the phased return of full excise duty costs are due to take place:
- 1 September: 9 cent on a litre of petrol, 10 cent on a litre of diesel
- 1 October: 8 cent on a litre of petrol, 8 cent on a litre of diesel
- 1 November: 5 cent on a litre of petrol, 7 cent on a litre of diesel
- 1 December: 5 cent on a litre of petrol, 5 cent on a litre of diesel
The plan is meant to both allow for the phased full return of excise duty which is of genuine value to the exchequer, and breathing space for consumers, commuters, hauliers and farmers already facing significant prices during a cost-of-living crisis.
However, in recent days doubts appear to have emerged within Government over whether the existing plan will take place, with Fine Gael TD and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke yesterday telling reporters all options remain up for discussion.
That pressure has now been added to by Sinn Féin, whose leader called on the Coalition to delay any phased removal of excise duty cuts until after October’s budget.
In her letter to the Taoiseach, Deputy McDonald said she believes the first stage of the excise duty increases on 1 September should be immediately delayed.
Ms McDonald said the only way to do this would be to recall the Dáil to vote on a financial resolution next week, three weeks before the political summer break is due to end.
Read more: Dáil recall over fuel interventions under review – Burke
Confirming the letter in a statement, Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, putting further pressure on workers, families and businesses.
“Diesel is now averaging €1.92 per litre, having increased by 19 cent in just one month, while petrol has risen by 9 cent to €1.84.
“Yet, at precisely the moment when international factors are pushing fuel prices higher, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and their Independents are planning to make matters worse.
“My party leader Mary Lou McDonald has today written to the Taoiseach asking him to recall the Dáil before 1 September so that the necessary financial resolution can be passed to stop these increases.
“The Government cannot control every movement in international oil prices, but it absolutely controls the taxes it imposes at the pump.
“September 1 is still more than a week away. There is time to change course.
“The Taoiseach should recall the Dáil for a day, pass the necessary financial resolution and stop these petrol and diesel price increases from going ahead.”
The letter is likely to fuel further debate on the Government’s excise duty dilemma, with big decisions now looming.
