Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the same issue, workers and families are continuing to struggle under the cost of living crisis. In three weeks time, the Government plans to increase the price of petrol and diesel for those same families. This is the last day that we have to stop the plan for price increases on petrol and diesel. Petrol and diesel prices are way higher than they were just a few years ago and, as has been mentioned, we are bringing in more taxes on petrol and diesel than we have ever had. These price hikes are going to hit some of the most vulnerable people hardest. They are people on low incomes, people in rural communities and people who just need the car to go to a hospital appointment, drop their children at school, travel to work and so on. In three weeks time, the Government plans to increase petrol and diesel. We have made it very clear that all of these prices need to be kept under review. This is absolutely not the time to be increasing petrol and diesel. Not only does the Government plan to do it now, but it plans a further increase in October. Why does the Government not bring a resolution before this House and call off the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael price hike on petrol and diesel, which will kick in on 1 August?

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