Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The motion is about giving people a chance in the most difficult of circumstances. I am calling on Deputies from all constituencies, particularly those in the north west and on the Border, which, unfortunately, have a particular problem in this regard because of the two jurisdictions being so close to one another, to support the motion. I am calling on the Government to support the motion and recognise this is a situation it cannot stand over. We cannot have people who are under so much pressure looking at a further increase in fuel costs in October. There were people protesting outside the gates of Leinster House today over the cost of childcare. Every day, there is something else. Every day, people feel the pinch all over the place. Interest rates have gone up, as have the prices of rent, fuel and heating oil. The price of everything people are buying is going up and up. This is an opportunity for the Government to have a little bit of solidarity with people, say that, in the circumstances, it recognises it is not appropriate to bring in these increases, and to withdraw them in October. I am asking the Minister of State to ensure the Government does that, steps back and scraps these proposed increases.

Yesterday morning, I and others met IBEC in Donegal, along with many businesses operating in the Border region. One of the big issues in the Border region is that there are two jurisdictions right beside one another. Filling stations along the Border are aware the price of fuel in the North is at parity with, or a little below, the price of fuel in the South and they are afraid that if the cost of fuel continues to rise in the South, more people will cross the Border. That would close those businesses. We must recognise the Government has a responsibility to ensure such businesses remain open and the price of fuel is at a level where people can manage to do their ordinary day's work and bring their children to school. There is also the issue of the delivery of goods throughout the country, so much of which is done in white vans to shops and other places. All these fuel increases have an impact on that and, in turn, the cost of living.

We need action from the Government. We need to see action that will make a difference. In October, it has the opportunity to scrap this price increase. We are not saying it needs to scrap all of them. If the price of oil on the international market comes down, that should be considered as things change. At the moment, however, things have moved in the opposite direction and the price of fuel has gone up. If the Government brings in these price increases, fuel prices will probably go over €2 per litre. People simply cannot afford such prices.

The Government needs to recognise that and cut its cloth to measure to ensure it can deliver something for ordinary people who are getting up in the morning, working hard and trying to manage. Many of them do not have options. In many parts of the country, there is no public transport. There is no other way of doing it. We do not have rail or Luas services or any other public transport to bring us to work. People have to get into their car and drive. For many people, the continued increase in fuel costs is having a detrimental effect. Every time they go to the pump they see an increase in the cost of fuel. They may have normally put in €30 a year ago but now they have to put in €50 to get the same distance. That is the reality for people.

The motion is clear. The Government should not bring in the increases in October. It should have a little solidarity with ordinary people who are doing their best but suffering badly as a result of the continued cost-of-living crisis. I hope the Minister of State and the Government will see sense and recognise this is not the time to increase fuel prices.

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