Independent Ireland councillor Noel Thomas has said that Irish fuel prices cannot continue to far outstrip countries like Spain and is calling for a temporary flat-fee excise response, targeted supports for farmers, contractors and hauliers, and a postponement of the planned carbon tax increase until the current fuel-cost crisis has eased.
Cllr Thomas said this week that an Ireland-Spain fuel comparison reflects a wider and very real problem: Irish motorists, workers and businesses are paying significantly more at the pump than people in other parts of Europe.
Cllr Thomas added that while global factors are pushing up oil prices, the Government cannot simply allow every international surge to be passed directly on to families, commuters, farmers, contractors and hauliers here at home.
He is calling for a temporary flat-fee approach to excise duties while the causes of the current surge in the price per barrel remain in place, saying the measure should act as a short-term stabiliser rather than a permanent tax change.
Cllr Thomas said this is about cushioning people during an exceptional price shock, not rewriting the tax system for good.
He said targeted temporary supports are also needed for farmers and contractors, because fuel is essential to their work and not an optional cost.
"Hauliers also need immediate breathing space, warning that if the pressure continues in that sector it will feed directly into delivery costs, food prices and the wider cost of living," he added.
Cllr Thomas is also calling for the planned carbon tax increase to be postponed, saying this is not the time to impose further costs on people who have no choice but to drive to work, heat their homes and keep farms, transport and local businesses going.
"Plenty of people are saying something must be done, but what is needed now is a clear temporary response: stabilise excise, support the sectors most exposed, and pause any new carbon tax increase until the current fuel-cost crisis has passed," he concluded.
