A CALL earlier today for a stop of fuel price increases has been followed by a Government announcement that a price hike has been postponed.
Donegal TD Pearse Doherty had called on the Taoiseach to recall the Dáil before September 1 to stop planned Government increases in the price of petrol and diesel.
On September 1, the Government planned to increase the cost of diesel by 10 cent per litre and petrol by 9 cent per litre.
Deputy Doherty’s Sinn Féin party wrote to Taoiseach Micheál Martin to recall the Dáil to pass a financial resolution necessary to prevent the increases from taking effect.
He said this afternoon: “Recalling the Dáil has to be about more than kicking the can down the road.”
This morning, he said: “Petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, putting further pressure on workers, families and businesses.
“Diesel is now averaging €1.92 per litre, having increased by 19 cent in just one month, while petrol has risen by 9 cent to €1.84.
“On September 1, the Government plans to increase the cost of diesel by 10 cent per litre and petrol by 9 cent per litre.
“This is just the first in a series of increases which would see the Government increase prices. These are Government decisions and they can be stopped.”
Dail TD Pearse Doherty wanted the Dail recalled to postpone scheduled fuel price increases.
Demonstrations and blockades in April past led to the Government applying a 32 cent cut on a litre of diesel and 27 cent on a litre of petrol.
On September 1, petrol was to increase by nine cent a litre and diesel was to go up by 10 cent a litre.
On October 1, there was to be an eight cent increase on a litre of petrol and eight cent on a litre of diesel.
On November 1, a litre of petrol was to go up by five cent, while diesel was to go up by seven cent a litre.
On December 5, five cent was to go on a litre of petrol, and seven cent will be added to a litre of diesel.
If implemented, these price increases will fully reverse the 27 cent cut on a litre of petrol and the 32 cent cut on a litre of diesel.
But a Government spokesperson this afternoon announced that the September and October price increases will not go ahead.
The Dail will be recalled for one day next week to agree to a financial resolution to confirm the arrangement.
He said: “It is clear there has been a change in the global situation and as a consequence the cost of petrol and diesel for consumers.”