Mayo opposition TD says excise duty cuts 'fall too short'

Mayo TD, Paul Lawless, has stated that the Government’s decision to cut excise duty on diesel and petrol falls short of what households and workers need right now.

The Government’s announcement will see the excise duty on a litre of diesel reduced by 20 cent, while petrol will drop by 15 cent per litre until the end of May.

“The cuts announced are lower than the increases people have suffered since the start of the oil crisis, and that’s before you even factor in that fuel prices were already punishingly high to begin with,” the Aontú TD said. 

He further stated that the Government has taken in more than €35 billion in tax on fuel, with a significant portion of that coming from carbon tax.

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“The impact is felt not just by commuters, but by every customer and nearly every business in Mayo that depends on the transport of goods. When fuel prices rise, the cost of groceries and everyday essentials inevitably follows.”

Lawless also added that the planned increase in tax in May is expected to bring the government another €163 million this year.

“Inflation in fuel prices suits the State because it means higher tax intake. For ten years running, the amount collected through fuel taxes has increased,” he added.

The Mayo TD is calling on the Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, to scrap the carbon tax on fuel for the duration of this crisis.

“I have opposed carbon tax from day one because it punishes people simply for driving, despite the fact that in rural areas like Mayo, there is no alternative,” he added.