Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that all Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs must support Sinn Féin’s legislation to cut the price of petrol, diesel, and home heating oil.

Teachta Crowe said families and workers are being pushed to the brink by spiralling fuel costs, while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael continue to stand idly by.

Speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil tonight on cutting fuel costs, Teachta Crowe said:

“I am hearing every day from people who are struggling to keep up, struggling to heat their homes, struggling to fill the car to get to work, and struggling to make ends meet.

“People are being hammered by rising fuel costs, and yet this government continues to sit on its hands. That is why Sinn Féin has brought forward this legislation to cut the price of petrol and diesel by 25c a litre and the price of a fill of home heating oil by €183.

“Instead of stepping in to help, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have actually made things worse by pressing ahead with further tax increases on home heating oil. That is the wrong decision at the worst possible time.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could act today to reduce fuel prices. They could scrap the planned increase in taxes on home heating oil. They could cut excise on petrol and diesel to bring prices down at the pump.

“These are practical measures that would put money back in people’s pockets – but this government is choosing not to act.

“Sinn Féin’s motion, being debated in the Dáil this evening, calls on the government to immediately reduce the cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil, including through Sinn Féin’s Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill, which would cut excise and deliver real relief to households.

“The Government now have a choice to make.

“They can stand with workers and families who are under real pressure by backing the Sinn Féin legislation put forward to bring fuel prices down or they can continue to back a government that is refusing to act.”