The government is facing calls to avoid levying higher excise duty rates on petrol and diesel from next Thursday as planned.
As part of the coalition’s action to deal with the rising cost of living, the excise tax on fuel was reduced in March 2022, with the aim of lowering the cost at the pump for consumers after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, which led to a sharp rise in prices, reports Breaking News.
However, this measure is due to expire on June 1, when the first increases to bring the tariff back to its normal rate come into effect.
Thursday’s increase will increase the cost of diesel by 5 cents per liter and petrol by 6 cents per liter, reports Breaking News.
However, the Consumers’ Association of Ireland said the move will have a direct and consequential impact on consumers, making transport and goods more expensive.
“If this fuel is being used for carrying product to the supermarket, then they only one who can pay for it is the consumer,” the group’s chairperson Michael Kilcoyne said, reports Breaking News.
“And the consumer is going to have their goods increase (in price) so whoever is transporting it can cover the costs. It means there will be further inflation as a result of this,” he told Newstalk, reports Breaking News.
“I would call on [the Government] to defer this to at least the end of the year. Six cents on a litre of petrol, five cents on a litre of diesel is a lot of money, because in country areas there is no public transport, they have to have a car,” Mr Kilcoyne added, reports Breaking News.
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