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

It is robbing the people of this country. The Government's figures are now coming out and showing that is the case. By delaying the budget until October, the Government will take another €2 billion in tax on fuel alone. That is only with regard to fuel. What about coal and all the other energies we must pay for? What about everything? What about the clothes on our backs? The Government is taking taxes like they have never been taken before. The Government was given a toolbox by the EU in November but it has done nothing. On 6 April, the EU allowed member states to reduce the VAT rate to 5%. The Government has done nothing.

Why does the Government not take a leaf out of Malta's book? Diesel in Malta costs €1.21 per litre today and petrol costs €1.36. We are paying €2.15 per litre for petrol and our Government takes 49% of that in tax. Why do we not go back to 2020 and put in place the cap for which I asked? Last year I asked the Government to cap taxes. That would have given 40 cent per litre back to every motorist in the country. As the Taoiseach said, 2 million people in this country have vehicles and 2.5 million people are working.

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