Mayo plea for recall of Dáil to stop planned fuel price increases

Mayo Sinn Féin Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh has confirmed her party has asked the Taoiseach to recall the Dáil in order to stop planned increases in the price of petrol and diesel beginning from September 1.

She said her party leader Mary Lou McDonald has written to the Taoiseach requesting that the Dáil be recalled so that the financial resolution necessary to stop the increases can be passed through the House.

Deputy Conway-Walsh elaborated: “These fuel cost increases could not come at a worse time for people in Mayo, particularly families, workers, carers and people with disabilities who are already struggling with the cost of living.

“September brings huge financial pressure for parents as children return to school. They’re already paying for uniforms, books, voluntary contributions and all the other back-to-school costs. Now they face increased fuel costs for the school run and getting to work.

“For people living in Mayo and rural Ireland, a car is not a luxury. Many people have no realistic alternative for getting to work, bringing children to school, attending medical appointments, caring for loved ones or simply going about their daily lives.

“The government plans to increase the tax on petrol and diesel from September 1. This is the first in a series of increases which will see diesel rise by 34 cent and petrol by 29 cent a litre by December.

“Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents supporting this government need to listen to people and act now. They need to do the right thing and proceed with Sinn Féin’s proposal to recall the Dáil for one day and pass the financial resolution needed to stop these increases.”