Louth TD Ruairi Ó Murchú has called on the government to remove all carbon taxes on home heating oil in the budget” as prices are spiralling out of control”.
The Sinn Féin TD noted that the price comparison site, cheapestoil.ie, is reporting the average price of heating oil at the weekend in Louth was €1,546.04 for 1,000 litres, while the cheapest quote was €1,430 for 1,000 litres.
Last week, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, indicated that the government may move in the budget to reduce the huge cost of home heating oil for families.
Deputy Ó Murchú said there was “no doubt” that Sinn Féin introducing legislation to reduce the price of home heating oil has put pressure on the Government and led to the Tánaiste indicating a possible U-turn.
“With these prices and the fact that we are facing into the winter period, the government needs to act,” he said. “This can’t be more tinkering around the edges – it has to be the complete removal of all carbon tax on home heating oil.
“We need to get costs down and help families trying to heat their homes this winter. Many of the people who rely on home heating oil are often older people living in older houses. Many of these are pensioners and are on fixed incomes and will really struggle this winter.
“For months, despite home heating oil being the fuel hardest hit by global market turmoil, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Independents have refused to act.
“Now again, as prices are spiralling out of control, the Tánaiste is flying kites about the budget rather than preparing emergency intervention.
“Sinn Féin knows that action is long overdue, and households should not have to wait any longer and we will keep fighting for real action that puts workers and families first.”