Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am still online. I thank our guests. I would like to get some information on the proposed increased in excise duty on petrol and diesel in the budget. I think it will impact more severely on lower income households and will also further drive up food services costs which are dependent on transport.

Irish food prices are already among the highest. I note that Dr. McQuinn said earlier that energy prices were coming down. I am not sure if it was fuel he was talking about. I cannot see prices coming down in my area. Maybe they are in other areas. What purpose is served by further increasing costs for families who are already struggling?