A DONEGAL TD has warned that businesses and petrol stations along the border will close if the gap between fuel prices North and South continues to rise.
Deputy Pearse Doherty called on the Minister for Finance to cancel government plans for three separate tax hikes on petrol and diesel this year.
Deputy Doherty, who is the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance said that proceeding with the planned tax rises on fuel was the wrong thing to do as households continue to struggle with the high cost of living.
“This year the government plan three separate tax hikes on petrol and diesel,” he said.
“If the government presses ahead with these tax hikes, households will face among the highest fuel prices in Europe.
“Petrol prices will rise by at least 10 cent per litre, with diesel prices set to rise by at least 8 cents per litre.
“As the gap between fuel prices North and South widens, the viability of businesses and petrol stations in border counties will be at risk, with petrol set to be 20 cent per litre and diesel set to be 7 cent per litre more expensive in the South compared to the North.
“So many workers and families depend on their cars to travel to work, to make a hospital appointment or visit their relatives.”
Deputy Doherty said fuel prices have risen by more than 30 percent in the past three years. He said making the cost of travel even more expensive at this time is the wrong call.
“The government must show flexibility and understanding of the challenges so many are facing under this cost of living crisis,” he stated.
“Sinn Féin are calling on the government not to go ahead with their planned tax hikes on petrol and diesel this year.”
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