Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As a Government, we introduced temporary reductions in excise rates of 21% and 16% per litre of petrol and diesel, respectively, in 2022, when energy prices in our economy were very high. That was worth approximately €1.2 billion to consumers. We gradually changed excise rates as the global price of petrol and diesel fell. Fuel prices in our economy have fallen significantly. They were at highs of €2.10 per litre and €2.20 per litre and are now just over €1.64 or below €1.70, depending on the fuel station. The decision made on budget night is a part of the wider trajectory of carbon tax agreed by this House. It will add 2 cent to a litre of petrol and 2.5 cent to a litre of diesel.

What is interesting about the Sinn Féin pre-budget submission is that every year its representatives talk about removing the increase to property tax but every year, it is willing to spend the previous year's increase. Sinn Féin should clarify its position on the carbon tax that it wanted to abolish last year. It has not made provision for removing that tax. Sinn Féin is proposing an increase in the carbon tax on cars and the tax on petrol and diesel every year.

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