Mattie McGrath: Demand to Cap Fuel Prices to Pre-War Levels
Mattie McGrath speaks at the junction of Castle Clare and the M8 to Dublin, urging the government to cap fuel prices at the levels that prevailed before the war. He stands in solidarity with farmers, householders, contractors and others at a Garda-arranged blockade and warns the protest could last a week or more.
Scene at the M8
Mattie McGrath addresses a crowd at the Castle Clare junction on the M8, noting that both sides of the motorway are blocked with the permission and cooperation of the Gardaí. He emphasises the broad turnout, listing householders, small landholders, farmers and contractors among those affected by rising fuel costs.
Demands on government action
McGrath calls for immediate, meaningful government action: a cap on kerosene, tractor diesel, road diesel and petrol at the pre-war price levels. He rejects small, token reductions and urges the State to follow other EU countries that have imposed caps.
Taxation and spending criticism
He accuses the government of collecting tens of millions extra in tax from recent price increases while continuing to find funds for foreign causes. McGrath demands fairness for Irish households who increasingly cannot afford to work or drive.
Wider consequences
Describing the protest as nationwide and potentially long-lasting, McGrath warns of economic disruption if prices are not capped. He calls on the government to act swiftly, decisively and fairly to address the crisis facing ordinary Irish people.
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I'm here standing at the junction of Castle Clare and M8 to Dublin. As you can see right behind me, both sides of the motorway are blocked with the permission of the Gardaí, arranged by the Gardaí this morning, who cooperated totally with everybody here. I'm standing in solidarity with everybody, goch aile, from the householder, to the small land man, to the people, the farmers, indeed to the audience, farmers, contractors, you name it, and kerosene, tractor diesel, of course road diesel is a big money here, and of course petrol as well. And I'm demanding that the government take action here. Not the kind of frivolous action that, perhaps a wee school, knocking off 18 cents, 2 cents off green diesel. They need to cap the prices in the region where they were before the war started. Cap them at those prices. Like other countries, many countries in the EU have done. They can do it, why can't we do it? And then, the fluctuation of the prices pay back some of the massive fundings of 60 cents a euro that they're taking. In actual fact, they've made tens of millions extra in tax with the increase over the last number of weeks. So, a meaningful exercise, this is a nationwide protest, and my understanding here, and the feeling I get is, this is going to last for a week or more. People are so angry, they can't afford to work, can't afford to drive, so the government need to act here. Act decisively, swiftly, and indeed, be fair with the Irish people. We can find money for Ukraine, and for a plethora of other causes, literally, millions, iPads, you name it. Why can't we look after our own Irish people? It's time for them to act now. Thank you very much.
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