Excise increase “attack on drivers and commuters” says Tóibín

Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has called on the government to cancel the planned increase in excise duty on petrol and diesel next week.

“This week it was confirmed that Irish electricity prices are the highest in Europe. drivers and commuters in Ireland are under significant attack from the government. The Government are seeking to jack up the price of petrol and diesel for the 2nd time in just a few months,” said Tóibín.

“They will increase prices again in another month with an increase in carbon taxes; all of this comes on the back of a road toll increase on the 1st of July that is likely to be repeated at the end of the year.”

“None of this is an accident,” he claimed, saying that the excise increases are “deliberate attacks on drivers and commuters many of whom have no alternative mode of transport.”

“Rich Ministers are purposefully pushing up energy prices on struggling families to reduce consumption. There is a cruelty to the government approach,” he posited.

“On the back of the suffering of so many families, the government are actually quids in.”

“Last year saw the government take in more VAT on Fuel and Energy than they did in any of the previous four years. The VAT on electricity has reached record heights of €381 million euro, with an increase of 40.4% since 2021: Petrol (€299 million), Diesel (€382 million), Solid Fuel (€61 million) and Auto LPG VATS. On average all VATs have increased by an average of 27.48%.

“Without alternatives these tax increases are punitive. We are calling on the government to scrap this planned increase in Excise Duty next week”.