Sinn Féin TDs for Waterford, Conor D. McGuinness and David Cullinane, have called on the Government to take urgent action as diesel and home heating oil prices rise sharply.
The two deputies say households, farmers and small businesses face increasing pressure as fuel costs climb in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Their comments come after reports that the price of home heating oil has doubled in recent days.
Families Struggling
Deputy McGuinness said many households already struggle with rising living costs and cannot absorb further increases in fuel prices.
“Families are already stretched to the limit by soaring rents, sky-high grocery bills and rising energy costs. They cannot carry the burden of another fuel price shock,” he said.
He also criticised the Government’s response to the issue.
“Once again the Government’s response has been to sit on its hands. People cannot wait while ministers say they are monitoring the situation. This is happening right now in households across Waterford.”
Call for Government Intervention
Deputy Cullinane urged the Government to introduce immediate measures to reduce pressure on households and businesses.
He called on Ministers Mary Butler and John Cummins to press for action at Cabinet level.
“Waterford’s two Government ministers should be using their positions to demand action. People here will rightly question why they have been so quiet while costs continue to rise,” he said.
Proposed Measures
Deputy Cullinane outlined several measures he believes the Government should introduce.
These include scrapping the planned increase in carbon tax due to take effect shortly and temporarily reducing taxes on petrol and diesel.
He also called for targeted cost-of-living supports for households already struggling with rising expenses.
Cullinane added that authorities must take action against companies that increase prices unfairly.
“There must be a serious crackdown on price gouging to ensure companies do not use this international crisis as an excuse to rip people off,” he said.
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