“TDs must explain fuel price hikes to hard-pressed workers in Kildare” — Sinn Féin TD

Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Patricia Ryan, has called on her fellow TDs to 'explain the excise duty increase facing motorists.'

The increases are due to commence this Thursday (August 1, 2024).

This marks the second increase in three months, and will see petrol rise by four cent per litre, while diesel will rise by three cent per litre.

Explaining her views on the situation, Ms Ryan TD said: "Motorists in Kildare already under huge pressure from unaffordable costs due to the cost-of-living crisis. 

"My constituency, Kildare South, is a very rural county, with very poor public transport links.

"People have to drive, and these increases are pushing them to the brink!"

She also took aim at Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon.

M Ryan TD said: "This government’s TD in South Kildare, Martin Heydon, owes the people an explanation about why, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, he is happy to sit back and watch as another excise duty increase hits workers and families.  

"Many people in in this county have no choice but to use their cars... The government have failed to put in place adequate public transport services to serve as a realistic or reliable alternative."

Patricia Ryan TD (Sinn Féin). File photograph.

She further said: "This government has already introduced a hike in April which saw a rise in petrol by four cent per litre, and a three cent per litre rise in diesel. 

"In the space of barely three months, that means motorists have seen their fuel increase by eight cent and six cent per litre respectively... and to bring them in when families are faced with the extra financial pressures of getting their children ready to go back to school adds insult to injury!

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"To expect people to take these increases on the chin just shows how out-of-touch this government is with workers and families who are struggling with unaffordable costs.

"In April, Sinn Féin urged the government to save the public from these increases [but] Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens [referring to the Green Party] simply refused to listen.  

"Fuel costs are already 30 per cent higher than they were three years ago, which means the government’s overall tax take is 30 per cent higher.... what we need here is a common-sense approach towards these increases, and common sense will tell you it simply shouldn’t go ahead."

Ms Ryan TD concluded by saying: "If this government is insisting on pushing ahead with these increases, their TDs must explain why to people in Kildare who will be paying the price for their actions."

NOTE: Martin Heydon TD has been contacted for comment by the Leinster Leader and this article will be updated as soon as he responds.