Economy in crisis - No mandate for more road tolls

JUST as we seem to be coming to terms with our new and grim normality, and what we must do to survive it, the possibility of a whole raft of price increases for motorists loom. Once again, the goal posts are about to be moved.

Fuel costs, already at a record high, will increase in December when the carbon tax rate is increased from €15 per tonne to €25. This will push the Government-imposed costs on €10 worth of petrol well beyond the €7 mark. This is not so much taxation as something approaching the extortion of a market with no choice.

According to the AA, a typical motorist uses 150 litres of fuel a month based on doing 12,000 miles (19,300km) per year at 30 miles per gallon. That puts a monthly fuel bill at €225. In January 2009, when petrol cost 95 cent a litre, that figure was €142.50.