Mayo councillor slams government for 'not listening while people struggle'

The fuel crisis has come about due the government failing to listen to people's concerns.

That's according to Independent Mayo Councillor Harry Barrett.

He elaborated: "They let it drag on for days, refusing to reconvene the Dáil in the middle of a national crisis. People felt unheard and positions hardened as a result. They must own this.

"But here is what I cannot understand. The Department of Finance came out this week with these numbers.

"Overall tax revenues in the first three months were 3.4 per cent higher than in the first quarter of last year. Income tax returns increased by more than 6 per cent and VAT by over 5 per cent.

"When Apple’s one-off tax payments are excluded, the State has collected €700 million more so far this year than it did in 2025.

"So why has government dragged its heels on reducing the burden on our farmers, hauliers, drivers and families if we are raking in so much money.

"What is our economy if it is not for making sure that people have the ability to run their farms, their haulage businesses or their home heating?

"We need a government that puts working families first and this means using our massive tax returns to cushion the blows from international crisis when the emerge. People are really hurting.

"Government was very quick to look after certain interest groups in the last few months, they reduced the VAT on big fast food operations and big hotel groups. They pocketed millions.

"They looked after the landlords in the recent rent review. They can increase rents for new tenancies and they allowed big developers to build smaller apartments saving them millions.

"None of these highly profitable groups were losing money, none of these groups were impacted in any, but they had the ear of government and lobbied for what they wanted and got what they asked for.

"Enough is enough. People across Ireland are not asking for anything unreasonable, they are asking for fairness, for a bit of breathing space, and for a government that listens before things reach breaking point.

"The money is there, the evidence is there, and the hardship is plain to see in every town and village.

"Now is the time for government to act decisively, to ease the burden on ordinary workers and families, and to show that when a real crisis hits, it stands with the people who keep this country going every single day.

"This fuel crisis covers everyone and we are now looking for relief: the money is there, use it."