South Monaghan Sinn Féin Councillor, Matt Carthy, has said that the significant increases in the costs of motor fuel over the past three years have proved to be a massive burden on families. He also challenged Fianna Fáil ‘game-playing’ on the issue saying that they were responsible for the bulk of government sponsored fuel price increases as well as for bringing the economy to its knees.
Cllr. Carthy said: “The massive price of fuel is causing severe hardship on many families. In counties like Monaghan people have little choice butb to use their cars and every increased in the price of petrol and diesel is keenly felt.”
“That the price rises are happening in the middle of a recession makes matters worse. Unemployment, emigration, mortgage distress, financial hardship and poverty are the human consequences of the austerity policies of spending cuts and tax hikes.”
“These policies, introduced by Fianna Fail are now being continued under the current Fine Gael Labour administration.”
“In last December’s budget Fine Gael and Labour added 1c on a litre of fuel. But in the three years before that Fianna Fáil added a massive 14c on the litre of petrol and diesel. They added 7c in 2009, 4c in 2010 and 3c in 2011.”
“Nobody should be under any illusion, if Fianna Fáil had been in Government last December they would have increased fuel excise once again and Fianna Fáil TD’s and Councillors would have defended the move just as they did the increases from 2009 to 2011.”
“It is becoming clear that on the major issues facing our country, Fianna Fáil, Labour and Fine Gael have a consensus and share the same policies.”
“Sinn Féin has consistently refused to join the consensus for cuts and regressive taxes.”
“And on every occasion we provided detailed costed alternatives to promote growth, jobs and equality.”
“Sinn Féin strongly supports any measure that lifts the burden of austerity off the shoulders of struggling families and businesses. A key component of this should be government agreement to reduce the cost of petrol and diesel which would ease the burden on ordinary families”
