Rural Mayo motorists penalised due to excessive costs - TD
Mayo motorists are paying through the roof because they have no choice but to drive due to a lack of public transport.
The point has been strongly made by Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh.
She elaborated: "Despite the government's lack of investment in public transport, it seems completely unaware that many people have no choice but to drive.
"In rural areas and in my own constituency of Mayo, there is more often than not no public transport option or no bus routes or train line and no alternative but to drive.
"The whole idea of carbon tax as the fovernment presents it is to change behaviours, but how can it change behaviours if it does not provide a proper alternative?
"For people in Belmullet, Ballina or Ballyhaunis, the car is not a choice; it is a lifeline.
"Yet, this government's policies are making it more expensive by the day to keep a car on the road.
"Budget 2026 added another carbon tax hike on petrol and diesel, that is, an extra €3 on a full tank on top of the €15 already piled on in recent years.
"This is not climate action. It is a cash grab that punishes ordinary workers, families and small businesses who simply have no alternative.
"Motorists are paying some of the highest petrol and diesel prices in the EU.
"Car insurance costs are up 9% this year alone, which is double the European average, while profits in the insurance industry soar. That does not cost anything for the Government.
"The toll on the M50 alone brought in over €212 million last year, with €12.5 million in penalties. That is not a sustainable transport policy.
"It is a rip-off. This rip-off has a knock-on effect on the cost of doing business. Small enterprises, couriers, hauliers and tradespeople are all struggling to stay afloat as transport costs eat into their margins.
"The recent receivership of Fastway, one of Ireland’s largest delivery companies, highlights how rising transport and fuel costs are putting pressure on the very backbone of our logistics and retail sectors.
"The impact has also been felt across our tourism industry, particularly in rural Ireland where visitors who hire cars to explore our Wild Atlantic Way or the Hidden Heartlands face rising fuel costs and toll costs."