‘Fuel is not a luxury’ as Carlow councillors clash over rising fuel and home heating costs
Councillors clashed at the April meeting of Carlow MD over a motion calling for urgent Government action on rising fuel costs
A heated debate broke out at the April meeting of Carlow Municipal District after councillors clashed over a motion condemning the Government’s response to rising fuel and home heating costs.
The motion proposed at the meeting by Cllr John Cassin condemned what it described as the Government’s “lack of urgency” in addressing rising fuel costs and called for immediate reductions in fuel-related taxes and levies, including excise duty.
It also called on the Government to publish a clear plan to ensure any reductions in fuel costs are passed directly on to consumers and warned that continued inaction was worsening the cost-of-living crisis for households, commuters, farmers, businesses and rural communities.
The motion further accused the Government of a “slow response and weak leadership” approach and urged it to treat rising fuel and home heating costs as an emergency.
Mr Cassin said people were “struggling on a daily basis” and warned that fuel costs were continuing to place pressure on households, commuters, farmers and businesses.
“Fuel is not a luxury,” he said, adding that current Government supports “are not enough” as prices were beginning to “sneak back up”.
Mr Cassin also raised concerns over the cost of home heating oil, saying many suppliers now require minimum purchases of €200. He warned that they "need a concrete, strong approach".
During the debate, Mayor of Carlow Paul Doogue proposed an amendment to the motion focused specifically on heating oil costs and supports for vulnerable people.
The proposed amendment was: "The Carlow Muncipal District (MD) denounce the Government's lack of urgency when needed in addressing the high cost of fuel in Ireland which continuously imposes an intolerant burden on households, commuters, farmers, hauliers, contractors, visiting Carlow and the whole country."
"Carlow MD calls on the government to immediately do something in relation to heating oil as the price has doubled and nothing has been announced today caters for our most vulnerable in our society. It will take a minimum of six weeks old age pension to get a fill up of heating oil.
Carlow MD further calls on the Government to publish without delay a clear and enforceable plan to ensure any further reductions in fuel costs be passed on directly and in full to the consumers."
Deputy Mayor of Carlow Fergal Browne said he was “disappointed” with the motion and argued that work was already being carried out by Government behind the scenes to address rising fuel and heating costs.
Cllr Browne pointed to existing subsidies and supports, while also referencing EU VAT arrangements linked to home heating costs.
He described the situation as a “once in a lifetime” challenge and said the Government was dealing with the issue.
Cathaoirleach for the district, Ken Murnane also defended the Government’s response, saying fuel prices were beginning to reduce and highlighting financial supports previously introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Cllr Cassin argued that "the work going on has not been translated to the people."
“People are struggling and we are under pressure,” he said, adding that “everything is going up.”
Cllr Adrienne Wallace criticised opposition to the wording of the motion, saying she was surprised councillors were unwilling to “denounce” the Government over rising costs and referencing concerns around price gouging.
Meanwhile, Cllr Andrea Dalton raised concerns that the proposed amendment had not been circulated to councillors in writing before the meeting.
Cllr Cassin later said he was “not happy with the watered down version” of the motion.
The amendment ultimately failed to secure enough support and the motion fell following a vote of the council.