Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Government blames oil prices for the energy crisis. The facts do not support the Government's argument that the hike in the price of the barrel of oil is the main cause of skyrocketing petrol, diesel and home-heating costs. This argument is wrong and misleading and I will explain why. In 2008, the cost of a barrel of oil was $162, the cost of a litre of petrol was €1.30 and a litre of diesel was €1.42. Today, the cost of a barrel of oil is $93, which is 74% lower than in 2008, but the cost of a litre of petrol is €1.74 and the cost of a litre of diesel is €1.64. If the price of a barrel of oil is 74% lower, why are Irish consumers paying 34% per litre more? As I said, in 2008 the price of a barrel of oil was $162. Today, the cost of a barrel of oil is $93 yet the Government is saying the cost of the barrel of oil is the cause of high fuel prices.

The carbon tax was first introduced in 2009 by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. Carbon tax is the real reason for the increase in fuel prices and the pressure on people in terms of heating their homes. The hauliers and the farmers came here to protest but the Government has done nothing to support them. The price of oil is cheaper now than in 2008. The Government's percentage model on taxes is costing every household more. The Government needs to give the real facts and tell the public the problem is being caused by the carbon tax first introduced by Fianna Fáil and the Green Party in 2009. That is a fact. I am not making this up. People can Google it and they will see it for themselves. These are facts. The price of the barrel of oil is $69 cheaper today than it was in 2008. The Government is telling the people who are going hungry and who are cold in their homes that the problem is the price of the barrel of oil. It needs to stop giving misleading evidence to this House.

See this speech in context