Sinn Féin Poblachtach sends solidarity greeting to those partaking in the large protests against rising fuel costs across the Twenty-Six Counties. The protests are being led mainly by farmers, hauliers and others deeply affected by the rising costs of fuel. They have asked the Free State Government to speak with them, but have been ignored. Because of this they have decided to blockade major roads as well as Ireland’s only oil refinery in Cork. As this is written, the Free State has begun deploying its Public Order Unit to Whitegate Refinery in Cork and Dublin City Centre, which it no doubt intends to use to break up the protests. Irish republicans know all too well, the only way the establishment listens is by action, otherwise they will concede only as much as suits them.

Rising costs are having a devastating impact on working people and families across Ireland, many of whom have already been under immense pressure from increased cost of living the past few years. Around half the price of petrol and diesel at the pump is made up of excise duty, carbon tax and VAT. The Free State charges one of the highest tax levels in the world on fuel, squeezing the working people while the state collects billions in tax revenue.

There was a recent minor reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel but, without a hard cap on prices, energy and fuel companies will simply raise their prices and profiteer from these tax reductions. The Irish people are seeing little to no benefit while large energy companies see record breaking profits. What is needed is a reduction in fuel taxes across the board, combined with a price cap to prevent profiteering, yet the Free State Government has shown no willingness to act.

The current situation is no doubt stressful to people, especially to those travelling to hospital appointments, funerals or their holidays. We hope especially for their sake, it is resolved shortly. The solution is clear, but as ever, it lies in the hands of those who have chosen to ignore it.

Críoch

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