Laois TD calls for measures to combat 'unacceptable' fuel costs as protests continue

Laois TD Brian Stanley has called for the Government to implement measures to reduce the cost of fuel as protests are set to continue across road networks in Laois and elsewhere in the country on Wednesday, April 8.

The M7 Motorway came to a standstill between Junction 16 and Junction 17 in Portlaoise on Tuesday morning, April 7, as tractors, trucks and cars blocked up the road in protest of the soaring fuel costs.

As the protest is due to begin again on Wednesday, organisers of the protest have said that disruptions will continue on roads until the Government reduces taxes on fuels. 

Laois TD Brian Stanley has now urged the Government to offer relief to haulage operators, farmers and households that are faced with the ever increasing costs of fuel.

"A lot of hauliers are now stating that they are running at a loss and that they can’t put trucks on the road. Delivery companies and self-employed people, who are not registered hauliers, are in a really difficult situation due to not being able to claim back VAT like registered hauliers do on their fuel," Deputy Stanley said.

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"Farmers are also in a difficult situation and in particular agricultural contractors as they don’t get the VAT relief, and they are now heading into their busy season. They need reliefs at this point on their fuel cost."

He also said that the Government needs to introduce a VAT rebate on hydro treated vegetable oil which is an environmentally friendly fuel that is being sought for by the sector. He stated: "I don’t understand why the Government haven’t done this up to now."

Deputy Stanley also noted that home heating oil continues to be a problem for households in Laois and across the country. 

"The fact that we have had the highest price increases in the European Union on that is unacceptable. The very least the Government can do is halt the planned increase on carbon tax on May 1," the Laois TD said.

He concluded: "While it is accepted that the Government can’t do everything, there are clear measures here that can be taken to give reliefs for the agriculture contractors, delivery operators, the haulage sector and householders. These reliefs are needed now to keep the economy and on track and ease the burden."

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