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

Last October, before the war in Ukraine, I asked the Government to reduce the intake from tax on fuel prices to 2020 levels. I understand the Government needs taxes to run the country, but it is taking in 51% of the price of petrol, and 44% in the case of diesel, in taxes.

My job and that of the Government is to protect the people of Ireland. The fastest way to do that is for the Government to reduce the tax that is locking the price on fuel. If that is done, people will be paying the increase in the cost of fuel but they will not be paying tax on the increase. That would benefit farmers, haulage contractors and those in every other sector. The Minister mentioned that there are 2.5 million people working in this country. I am talking about tax. The Government is taxing every single person not only on fuel but also on food because the cost of producing the latter is escalating as a result of the tax on fuel. It is the tax I am talking about.

We know that there is an increase in demand for materials that are not there. The price of wheat has risen by 67%. The people of Ireland are being asked to grow wheat, barley and everything else when they are being taxed at source. The only answer is for the Government to take its 51% tax at 2020 prices. That will automatically go into every household in the context of home heating oil, fuel to run a car and reducing transport costs. It hits everyone across the board and reduces costs.

Silage contractors have told me that other countries are giving them 20% off the price of agricultural diesel. This means that they can try to go to the farmers to bring in the crops in order that we can have reasonably priced food. It is €1.40 a litre for green diesel for doing crops. From 47 cent a litre last year, it has gone up to €1.40. Suddenly the price of milk is going up. The costs for every household are going to go up.

I want the Government to take its 51% tax on fuel at 2020 prices. Every household and person, whether employed or not employed, will be positively impacted by a reduction in the tax on fuel. That is all I am asking the Minister to do in one sector. It will help every family and person in the country.

See this speech in context