FF calls on Government to follow French fuel tax cuts

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport Timmy Dooley said today that the Government should follow the French example of cutting the tax on fuel.

"With the price of petrol set to hit as much as €1.80 in the coming weeks, it is blindingly obvious that something must be done," said Deputy Dooley.

"Fianna Fáil has consistently called for action by the Government on this, hard pressed families cannot take any more. The price of fuel is at an all-time high, and there seems to be no end in sight to the petrol hikes.

"If it is good enough for the French Government to introduce temporary measures to halt the spiralling costs by lowering taxes, why can’t our Government do likewise?

"In April, Fianna Fáil published a Bill to immediately cut the price of petrol and diesel by 5 cent a litre. The Government refused to even consider the proposals suggesting that Fianna Fáil was living in ‘economic dreamland’ and the problem would sort itself out. I wonder would they label the French Government with the same barb?

"Petrol prices at that time were just below €1.65 a litre. While the Government has been sitting on its hands, prices are hurtling towards an all-time high of €1.80. How far do prices have to go before the Government wakes up and takes this seriously?"