Don't let the road lobby get its way on petrol tax

IT is irresponsible of the Irish Examiner to give the 'oxygen of publicity' to those who threaten disruptive action in response to the increase in petrol and diesel prices.

And it would be cowardly for the Government to cave in to pressure as the British government did during the last round of increases when they reduced petrol and diesel taxes following blockades by juggernauts, goaded on by the media, the oil companies and motoring organisations.

The increase in oil prices is not the fault of the Government and there is no reason why the State should subsidise road users by cutting taxes; if the price of barley went up, would anyone expect them to reduce tax on beer?