Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ordinary motorists struggling with the cost-of-living crisis are getting a raw deal from this Government and the hits keep on coming. The first hit was that the Government failed to rein in insurance companies that are increasing rip-off premiums. The Government actually blocked my legislation which would have forced costs down. The second hit came when the Government chose to hike up prices of petrol and diesel in the budget. The third hit is that it will increase tolls on national roads from 1 January. Motorists are being fleeced and the Government is doing this at a time when so many households are struggling to make it to the end of the week. Has the Minister forgotten that people in rural and urban areas need their cars to get to work, drop their kids off to school or drop a loved one to a hospital appointment? This is crucial in rural areas where public transport options are not available. Why is this Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government so intent on making life harder for ordinary motorists? Will the Government engage with TII to ensure the toll increases the Government plans to bring in on 1 January do not go ahead? Will it give motorists a break, please, for once?

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