Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this motion regarding fuel increases. I also thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward the motion. I fully support this motion and its calls for the Government to reverse its plans to increase the price of petrol and diesel on 11 October by a further 2 and 2.5 cent and a further 8 and 6 cent per litre on 31 October. These are increases that are going to severely hurt families and that will add significantly to the current cost-of-living crisis. They are coming on top of pre-existing price pressures that are hitting every household across the nation and coming into the winter, anxieties are high, with many households worrying about making ends meet while costs continue to soar.

I have had many constituents tell me that they are worried about keeping their homes warm and their cars running. This is particularly difficult for people in rural communities of Donegal who are disproportionately affected by fuel increases. The county has the highest rate of forced car ownership due to the fact that the public transport system is now only starting to develop, and people need to use their cars as much as possible. Donegal is a rural and isolated county that is constantly left behind in every area of development and, as a result, the county is totally dependent on its road network. I have raised this point many times but I will continue to raise it as long as my constituents are forced to worry about how they are going to keep up with rising energy and fuel prices. Hiking these prices during such a difficult time for so many is wrong and the Government’s amendment to this motion is completely out of touch.

The statement that "the volatility in fuel prices being experienced now, and over the last 18 months, is due to a variety of geopolitical issues including the Ukraine war, none of which the Government has any control or influence over" completely ignores the role that greed and selfishness has played and continues to play in this cost-of-living crisis. Nobody is debating that the climate action plan to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050 is extremely important. However, it should not be at the cost of our citizens. I am very proud to have introduced the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018. I understand the best way to move forward is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to prioritise decarbonisation in this country but there has to be a just transition. We have to ensure that people’s livelihoods, homes and well-being are protected in our attempts to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and shift towards sustainability.

People deserve to live a life of dignity. They deserve to have a roof over their head, food on the table and fuel in the car. We have the resources to provide that for every single person who lives in this country, while also ensuring that we meet our climate goals, but it requires ambition and structural change. We cannot expect to achieve this without hitting the big corporations that use Ireland as a place to trade but do not give back fairly to the State. We cannot expect to achieve this while continuing to provide for more data centres, which put significant strain on our resources but contribute very little to our economy. It is unfair that, rather than targeting these companies, the Government continues to put the strain on our citizens, who are just looking to get by and live a life of dignity. This Government is failing those citizens by refusing to address this cost-of-living crisis, and it will sadly cost lives unless we do something about it.

Going into the budget season, I urge the Government to prioritise just transition and to introduce targeted, long-term supports for the most vulnerable in our society, rather than the money back from an energy Bill. I agree with Deputy Shortall in that it will give back to the wealthy and the likes of me. We do not need it and it should be targeted at people who are most vulnerable in this society. The Government can begin doing so by supporting this motion and ensuring that households have one less worry going into this winter.

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