An Offaly TD has described the government’s fuel cuts as “stingy” and criticised TDs who voted against an amendment to the measure which would have completely removed excise duty from home heating oil.
Independent TD Carol Nolan said that government TDs were attacking those who were critical of the relief package for not going far enough and were acting as if they were coming to the rescue when what was on offer was, in her view, “stingy”.
Nolan described the government’s reduction of petrol and diesel costs by between 15c and 20c per litre until the end of May, along with a reduction of 3c/L to the cost of marked gas oil, which mostly impacts the agricultural sector, as “one of the greatest non-events and con-jobs in this Government’s lifetime”.
Sh added that the paltry reductions came “despite the fact that members of Government parties are acting as if they are latter day St. Vincent de Pauls coming to the rescue of the oppressed Irish household.”
She said she voted “to support an amendment that would have completely removed the home heating oil excise duty, but it was defeated. I could not then in good conscience vote to assist the passage of the Governments financial resolution that left the carbon tax untouched and made no mention of any proposal regarding the suspension, reduction, or waiver of toll fees on the M50, Dublin Port Tunnel, or any other tolled roads as part of the current emergency fuel relief measures.”
She went on to say that although she had strenuously advocated for a fuel support package, what Government delivered was “the thin gruel of a miserly administration, when what people needed, including hauliers, was a far more expansive package of supports that included a suspension of the carbon tax and the elimination of excise duty on home heating completely, both of which Government chose not to do.”
“Government members including those in my own constituency are out lauding these stingy cuts as if they were personally out filling up people’s cars or replenishing their home heating oil tanks. It is beyond farcical to witness this level of gaslighting and they need to be called out on it,” said Deputy Nolan.
“What I wanted from Government on behalf of my constituents was something that would actually a difference in the immediate and long-term. What they got was a slap in the face from an arrogant Government that seems to genuinely believe the bare minimum is equivalent to maximum effort. Not only that, but they are also expected to be thankful for that slap. It is absurd. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail TDs in my constituency and elsewhere can stand over these pathetic half measures, but the public and our farmers sees through them and make no mistake about that,” she added.
The government said that the measures introduced this week included the extension of the Fuel Allowance season to help households following the huge spike in oil prices. The payment typically ends in April, but it has been extended by an additional 4 weeks, with 460,000 recipients set to benefit.
It also said that the NORA levy – a variable levy on disposals of petroleum products – would be reduced from 2 cent per litre to a nominal amount for a period of two months.
”As a Government, we are very mindful of the challenges being faced by increasing fuel costs and remain fully committed to supporting those most at risk,” Taoiseach Michael Martin said.
“Today’s measures will help shield households and businesses from the recent unprecedented hikes in fuel prices.”