Mayo TD responds to letter from fuel protesters expressing 'outrage' over relief measures

Mayo Dáil Deputy Keira Keogh has responded to a letter, signed by 500 people, which had been submitted to her expressing 'outrage' over the government's response to the fuel crisis.

In her reply, the Westport-based Fine Gael TD stated: "I value engaging with constituents and, over the past fortnight especially, I have engaged with many who have never contacted my office or indeed any TD before.

"My team and I are working as hard as we can for the people of Mayo, having made over 1,400 representations since taking office 16 months ago.

"I am continuing to engage with community groups from around the county to ensure I am listening to people’s needs and challenges, for example, men’s sheds, schools, community groups and sports clubs.

"We host a weekly clinic in Westport and have also hosted clinics in Achill, Bangor Erris and Belmullet, with one coming up this week in Ballyhaunis.

"I acknowledge in your letter the dissatisfaction with the two recent packages announced (€250 million in March and €525 million last week), especially the reduction of fuel by 10 cents and the desire for price stability.

"The package is one of the largest per capita (€137.87 per person) in Europe, 2.4 times the EU average. Excise on petrol has been reduced, giving a saving of €16 per 60-litre tank, diesel €19.20 and green diesel €4.44.

"I understand that for many households and businesses this does not go far enough, but it is unfortunately not possible for the Irish State to fully shield its citizens from this global crisis or provide price stability in a period of such volatility where so much is outside our control.

"The government must strike a balance between supporting families, businesses, hauliers, and farmers, while also being responsible with public finances given the uncertainty we are facing.

"However, leadership and ministers have outlined that the government will remain responsive as circumstances evolve over the coming weeks and months and continue to assess if further measures are required.

"Some constituents have raised questions about whether the government is profiteering from recent increases in fuel, and I want to reassure constituents that this is not the case.

"Taking the first package (€250m.) as an example, while the state took in an increase of €4 million per week on taxation revenue, it was spending €4 million per day on supports.

"Meanwhile, I still have many constituents contacting the constituency office looking for SEAI grants and other schemes funded by the carbon tax.

"Many constituents in Mayo are benefiting from new windows and doors, attic insulation, and grants for solar panels. I encourage those who are eligible to reach out to the office so we can assist in accessing SEAI supports to make homes cheaper to heat and more sustainable in the long term.

"The planned increase in the carbon tax has now been deferred at a cost of €22 million to the Exchequer. This deferral will not affect measures to support households, with €1 billion continuing to go towards retrofitting, fuel allowance, EV supports and farmer supports such as ACRES.

"In your letter, you expressed concerns over home heating oil being neglected.

"Over a quarter of Irish households (470,000) are now receiving the fuel allowance, and this was extended by one month, giving an extra €152 per household at a cost of €71 million to the Exchequer.

"For some, this is not sufficient, and my office is supporting people to access the Additional Needs Payment or Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

"However, I want to acknowledge that many of the people who signed your petition have outlined that they are above the threshold for these supports, and are under immense financial pressure.

"As a backbench TD, it is my job to advocate, and I have continued to do so this week, bringing your concerns directly to the Tánaiste and raising the matter on the floor of the Dáil.

"I will continue to strongly advocate for an increase in income tax bands for working people in the upcoming budget, along with further supports for small businesses and entrepreneurs many whom have shared personal details of their concerns.

"The €100 million scheme announced for farmers and food producers will benefit up to 120,000 farmers and an estimated 1,500 contractors.

"It will provide a further 20c per litre reduction on green diesel, backdated to 1 March and running until the end of July. I brought feedback and concerns discussed with David and John directly to Minister Heydon.

"The €120 million scheme for hauliers, Local Link and commercial companies will also be backdated to March 1 and will operate as a graduated scheme, giving greater support to smaller businesses.

"Following concerns from constituents, I also sought assurances in the chamber from the Taoiseach that our ferry operators are included in this scheme.

"I want to sincerely acknowledge that many of my constituents protested recently for the first time. I welcome protests, and I always do my best to engage, whether that is with protesters who visited my office recently regarding school secretaries or concerns for the people of Palestine.

"I also regularly engage with protestors outside Leinster House, such as the Mayo Pyrite group and, more recently, the IFA. The right to protest is important and should be protected.

"However, I do not agree with blockading critical infrastructure and infringing on the rights of others.

"I had a lot of contact from people who felt the blockades should have been moved sooner, for example, a very frustrated mother who was stuck in traffic for 7.5 hours on her way to Crumlin with her child who was in pain, or the businessperson who did not have enough fuel to complete their work.

"The anger of those constituents is also valid. The country was in danger in many other ways e.g. if we had to turn away the oil tanker given the global fuel crisis, and our hospitals were at risk if the blockades had continued, as essential workers needed fuel for their cars and hospital laundry services must operate to manage infection.

!It was upsetting for the whole country, including myself, to witness our gardaí having to move people from the blockades and I am grateful there were no serious injuries.

"I hope the people who contacted me or protested for the first time stay connected to politics and democracy. Robust debate and diversity of opinion is so important for society, and I think many found their voice for active citizenship for the first time and this needs to be nurtured and encouraged.

"I want to finish by saying this: it is an immense honour to represent the people of Mayo.

"Every conversation, every letter, and every petition matters to me because it reflects the real pressures people are facing in their daily lives.

"While we may not always agree on every approach, you have my absolute commitment that I will continue to listen, to engage, and to advocate strongly on your behalf.

"I will keep bringing your voices directly into the rooms where decisions are made, and I will continue working every day to ensure that the people who placed their trust in me are represented with honesty, effort, and determination.

"My office remains open to all constituents, of all parties and none."