Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to speak on this motion. I support the principle, but it is difficult to take lessons from a party that supports the carbon tax. That being said, the Government should consider scrapping its plans to increase the price of petrol and diesel on 1 August and 9 October and reverse the increase that took place on 1 April. Just six weeks ago, I made the same request to the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, who insisted that it would not be possible to review or postpone planned hikes prior to the next budget. Not a fortnight after that, however, Ministers and Senators came before the cameras with a support package for SMEs, which was welcome but highlighted the selective nature of the approach being taken by Government.

We know these increases will have an adverse impact on motorists, hauliers, agricultural contractors and farmers. Only last week, I raised this issue on behalf of farm contractors. When I raised the matter with the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, he stated that the Government would monitor prices over the next couple of months. The monitoring should reveal that urgent action is necessary on this matter. Will the Government take action or will it offer, yet again, more excuses around merely reviewing the situation? This is inaction dressed up as action and nobody is falling for it.

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