28/08/2026
Mary Lou McDonald TD Tells Government To Scrap Fuel Tax Hikes, Not Delay Them
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has urged the government to cancel planned increases in taxes on petrol and diesel while prices remain elevated, arguing that simply pushing the rises back a few months would still burden households and businesses.
Speaking at a recalled sitting of the Dáil, McDonald confirmed Sinn Féin will oppose the government's motion and has tabled its own plan intended to give certainty to workers, families and small firms.
She said: "The Dáil has been recalled because the government got this wrong.
"Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents intended to increase petrol and diesel prices from September 1st. Sinn Féin said no and I asked the Taoiseach to recall the Dáil to stop these increases.
"But the government still hasn’t got the message.
"Its answer is not to halt these fuel tax increases, but simply to reschedule them. It now proposes increases from November through to February.
"We are living in extraordinary circumstances. The international factors driving fuel prices sky high are still with us, as is the enormous pressure this places on workers and families.
"Government cannot control international geopolitical events or oil prices. But it absolutely controls the taxes it places on petrol and diesel.
"People need to know definitively that while fuel prices soar, government will not pile further tax increases onto those already struggling. Not now and not in November.
"What government brings before the Dáil today is not a solution. It is kicking the can down the road. It is postponing the pain, not removing it.
"That is why Sinn Féin will oppose the government motion and why we have brought forward our own proposal.
"Our proposal would give certainty to workers and families and to farmers, hauliers, tradespeople and small businesses.
"Beyond these emergency measures, government must make practical progress towards clean, affordable energy and fuel sources that give people greater certainty and protect them from volatile international situations.
"This comes down to political choices.
"We support stopping the September and October increases. But we will not support a plan that simply moves those increases to November, December, January and February.
"Government must keep these taxes off while fuel prices remain high, and Budget 2027 must deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief."
Speaking at a recalled sitting of the Dáil, McDonald confirmed Sinn Féin will oppose the government's motion and has tabled its own plan intended to give certainty to workers, families and small firms.
She said: "The Dáil has been recalled because the government got this wrong.
"Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents intended to increase petrol and diesel prices from September 1st. Sinn Féin said no and I asked the Taoiseach to recall the Dáil to stop these increases.
"But the government still hasn’t got the message.
"Its answer is not to halt these fuel tax increases, but simply to reschedule them. It now proposes increases from November through to February.
"We are living in extraordinary circumstances. The international factors driving fuel prices sky high are still with us, as is the enormous pressure this places on workers and families.
"People need to know definitively that while fuel prices soar, government will not pile further tax increases onto those already struggling. Not now and not in November.
"What government brings before the Dáil today is not a solution. It is kicking the can down the road. It is postponing the pain, not removing it.
"That is why Sinn Féin will oppose the government motion and why we have brought forward our own proposal.
"Our proposal would give certainty to workers and families and to farmers, hauliers, tradespeople and small businesses.
"Beyond these emergency measures, government must make practical progress towards clean, affordable energy and fuel sources that give people greater certainty and protect them from volatile international situations.
"This comes down to political choices.
"We support stopping the September and October increases. But we will not support a plan that simply moves those increases to November, December, January and February.
"Government must keep these taxes off while fuel prices remain high, and Budget 2027 must deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief."
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Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy but mainly dry in the morning. Persistent rain, heavy at times with a chance of thunder, will extend east across all parts in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Cloudy in the evening as occasionally heavy rain spreads east with a small chance of thunder. Scattered showers feed in from the west overnight, some clear spells in the east. Minimum temperature 13 °C.