Fuel package falls ‘far short’ of what’s needed, says Laois senator

Laois Senator Maria McCormack has expressed her disappointment with the Government’s response to the fuel protests.

The six-day fuel price protests in Laois came to an end on Sunday evening following the Government’s announcement of a €505 million package.

Senator McCormack, who attended the protests in Portlaoise last week, has criticised the fuel package as inadequate. 

“This Government clearly isn't listening to the people. What they announced fell far short of what is needed. Working people have been left behind once again,” she said.

“The solutions are there. They could have cut diesel by the maximum amount to stop increases being wiped out within days. They could have reduced petrol further. They could have scrapped excise on home heating oil.

“Instead, we got half measures — and people are expected to just accept it.”

READ NEXT: 'Someone is price gouging' - Laois TD calls for investigation into fuel prices

The Sinn Féin Senator said that the Government has “allowed this crisis to spiral and now refuse to take responsibility for fixing it.”

“Families, carers, and workers are already stretched to breaking point. The cost of living is spiralling, and fuel is at the heart of it — getting to work, running a business, heating your home,” Senator McCormack said.

The Laois senator praised the local community for their commitment to the protests last week, saying: “These are hardworking men and women – hauliers, farmers, contractors, families – who have been pushed to the brink. 

“They didn’t take to the roads lightly. They did so because they felt they had no other choice.”

“What we saw in Laois was community, respect, and resilience. Despite the disruption, every effort was made to ensure emergency access was maintained, and I want to thank both the protesters and An Garda Síochána for how this was managed.”

Senator McCormack confirmed that Sinn Féin will be escalating the issue in the Dáil, with a motion of no confidence in the Government being brought forward this week.

“They only moved because of public pressure — and even then, they fell short. That pressure must now intensify,” Senator McCormack said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme