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

I am talking about benefiting every household in the country. If the Minister does what I have asked him in the context of 2020 costs, there will be a reduction. He stated that the cost of fuel has gone up but the Government still takes 51% of the total cost. That is for every household. No matter what way one looks at it, it is 51% tax. If the Government takes its 51% tax on 2020 prices, that will go to the 2.5 million people who are working in this country. It costs them €50 to €60 more to fuel their cars and €1,300 a year more to put on the lights in their houses. The Government is after bringing in a retrofitting system that is outdated because the cost of materials has gone through the roof. The grant system the Government is putting in is not even justified because the grant has been neutralised as a result of the cost of materials going up. This is one thing the Government can do and it will have a positive effect in every household. It will help with the cost of their groceries and getting people to school or work. It is €40 to €50 a week. Once the Government does that one thing on fuel, it will improve the quality of life for everyone - the elderly, the young, the vulnerable and everyone else.

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