Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to make this point and I will say it again. Everybody knows that global factors have caused the massive increase in the price of oil and the price of gas. Oil is an internationally traded commodity. We are price takers. The price increases have been beyond the Government's control and the control of most governments across Europe. The impact of the war in Ukraine has been stark in terms of the dramatic increase in the prices of oil and gas. Yesterday, Deputy McDonald said she wanted a 25 cent reduction in petrol and diesel. We cannot bring diesel down by 25 cent because of the energy directive. The reduction of 15 cent in respect of excise on diesel is the most that can be provided for when taken in conjunction with the diesel rebate scheme in the context of the minimum rates of excise established in the EU energy tax directive. The Deputy did not do her homework yesterday. She came in here and said she wanted it done now.

We want to reduce the pressure on people. That is why we are reducing excise duty on petrol by 20 cent and the duty on diesel by 15 cent. We would like to do more on diesel-----

See this speech in context