Taoiseach Accuses Sinn Féin of Trying to «Engineer» Fuel Protests Over Excise Hike

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has accused Sinn Féin of attempting to «engineer» further fuel protests. This comes as emergency reductions in fuel excise, introduced in April, are set to expire on July 31, potentially leading to a 32c increase for diesel and a 27c increase for petrol in August.

Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty criticized the government in the Dáil, stating that ordinary people were «forced to take action to reduce the cost of petrol and diesel» in April. He argued that the government's vote to pass the finance bill, which will see fuel costs rise from August, shows they «haven’t learned anything from the fuel protests.» Doherty claimed Martin voted against Sinn Féin amendments that would have prevented these increases, warning of a return to «rip-off prices at the pumps.»

Martin countered, accusing Sinn Féin of playing «politics and not about policy,» using amendments to create an impression that the government is voting for increases to «engineer protests.» He cited the war in Iran as the cause of rising fuel costs but noted a «cessation of violence» has led to recent domestic price declines. Martin stated the government is monitoring prices and will keep the July 31 expiry «under review,» as it is «more than a month away.»

Doherty refuted the accusation of playing «games,» emphasizing the seriousness for people struggling with basic necessities. He argued that the finance bill has passed, and prices will increase on August 1, calling the 32-cent diesel price hike «reckless.» Martin then accused Doherty of wanting to «look after the oil companies» and not monitoring future price changes, reiterating that the government has not made a final decision regarding the end of July and will act accordingly.