The Rural Independent TD Mattie McGrath is hitting out at Government’s Budget increases to fuel costs. Due to the annual carbon tax increase – Diesel will increase by 3 Cents and Petrol by 2 Cents per litre from today. Deputy McGrath describes the significant increase in petrol and diesel costs as a continued attack on motorists and transport operators. The budget includes measures that have cumulatively added €12 to the cost of filling a tank of petrol or diesel since the Coalition government took office in June 2020.
The Finance Act voted through the Dáil in 2020 allows for the carbon tax to increase every year until 2030 when it will reach a rate of €100 per tonne of carbon emissions. After today’s increase the tax will be at a rate of €63.50 per tonne. Petrol and diesel increases take effect in October while solid fuel and heating oil and gas increase in May each year.
Deputy McGrath is labelling the government’s approach to fuel taxation is essentially a stealth tax on mobility, punishing those who rely on their vehicles for daily life, particularly in rural areas where public transport options are limited.
