Pearse Doherty: Won't Back Fuel Tax Increases
Pearse Doherty addressed the Dáil to oppose a government resolution that delays but does not cancel planned petrol and diesel tax increases. He argued the delay simply postpones pain and renewed his call for Sinn Féin's amendment to block any further fuel taxes while prices remain high.
Pearse Doherty accuses the government of arrogance and of rejecting a Sinn Féin amendment in July that would have prevented an emergency recall of the Dáil. He says the current resolution only delays scheduled increases on petrol, diesel and home heating oil from October through February.
Doherty describes the government's move as a six-week reprieve rather than real relief, saying the measure fails to address the wider cost-of-living pressures affecting households. He lists rising electricity, food, fuel and mortgage costs as part of the pressure felt across the state.
Doherty sets out Sinn Féin's position clearly: no additional cents on petrol and diesel while prices are high. He says this simple amendment should have been accepted in July and argues that supporting the government's resolution would be making life harder for constituents.
He challenges fellow TDs to consider how they will face voters in counties such as Waterford, Kerry and Donegal if they back increases. Doherty frames the choice before the Dáil as a moral one about who will bear the burden of higher bills in coming months.
Main complaint
Pearse Doherty accuses the government of arrogance and of rejecting a Sinn Féin amendment in July that would have prevented an emergency recall of the Dáil. He says the current resolution only delays scheduled increases on petrol, diesel and home heating oil from October through February.
Short reprieve, long impact
Doherty describes the government's move as a six-week reprieve rather than real relief, saying the measure fails to address the wider cost-of-living pressures affecting households. He lists rising electricity, food, fuel and mortgage costs as part of the pressure felt across the state.
Sinn Féin amendment explained
Doherty sets out Sinn Féin's position clearly: no additional cents on petrol and diesel while prices are high. He says this simple amendment should have been accepted in July and argues that supporting the government's resolution would be making life harder for constituents.
Challenge to other TDs
He challenges fellow TDs to consider how they will face voters in counties such as Waterford, Kerry and Donegal if they back increases. Doherty frames the choice before the Dáil as a moral one about who will bear the burden of higher bills in coming months.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Slam on 60-Minute Limit amid Cost Crisis
Michael Collins
Michael Collins Warns Cuts to Farmers' Rebate Could Spark Strikes
Simon Harris
Simon Harris: Extends Fuel Tax Cuts to October 2026
Ruth Coppinger
Ruth Coppinger: Dáil One-Hour Reconvening Is Farce
Charles Ward
Charles Ward: Government Ignored Warnings as Costs Soared
Paul Murphy
Paul Murphy: Government Scared of the People
Transcript
Well, Ciann Comhairle, this is an embarrassing claim down from government, one that we warned you back in July. Your arrogance, you voted against the Sinn Féin amendment, which wouldn't see us having to recall the Dáil in emergency fashion. But yourselves, Fine Gael, the Independents, Fianna Fáil, thought better, and now we're here to clean up your mess. You thought you were going to get away with it? Well, the public had a different mind and intention. And look, the reality is what you're doing today is you're simply delaying the pain. The resolution that you're asking us to vote for today is to support the increase on petrol and diesel come the 14th of October, the 1st of November, the 1st of December, and again in January and February. And as I said to you before, Minister, there is no way that I will support that. There is no way, when these prices remain sky high, that I could return to my constituents and look them in the face and say that I voted to make your life harder, because that is exactly what you're doing. The real impact of this motion here today is, yes, we have forced you and the public have forced you into delaying the September and October increase. But it is six weeks of a reprieve. That is all it is. And that is an example of the government not understanding the pressure that people are under, the length and breadth of this state. And it's not just about petrol and diesel, it's about the constant rising prices everywhere. Electricity, food, fuel, mortgages, interest rates, it's all the pressure that's putting on people. What should be happening in this emergency setting of the Dáil, if we had a government worth their salt, if we had a government that understands the real pulse of the Irish people, is a government talking here about the proposals that they're bringing forward to support those individuals with the cost of living crisis. Instead, we have this farce of you asking us to vote for what date can the government make life harder for people. Is it the 14th of October, the 1st of November? Well, we're having none of it. There is an amendment before the Dáil from Sinn Féin. It is simple, it is clear. Not a single cent on petrol and diesel on additional taxes while these prices remain high. It is the amendment that you should have supported in July, and therefore you wouldn't have to have this U-turn and call this Dáil into emergency session. So every TD should ask themselves the question, how am I going to look my constituents in the face when I go back to Waterford or to Kerry or to Donegal if I vote for this resolution? Because let's be clear, come the 14th of October, what you're voting for is to increase petrol, to increase diesel and to increase home heat and oil. It is absolutely shameful if that's the decision you take today.