Call to investigate soaring diesel prices

CONSUMER chiefs last night called on the Government to investigate why diesel is costlier than petrol despite tax incentives to lure motorists away from unleaded.

Diesel is 132.4 cents a litre, with 46% of the pump price made up of excise duty and tax. Petrol is cheaper at 124.9c, even though 54% goes to the Government in tax.

According to AA Ireland figures, we have the second highest price of diesel in the eurozone and are behind only Italy, where the fuel is 134.4c a litre.