There have been calls locally for the government to introduce a cost of living package, to combat rising prices amid conflict in the Middle East.
At this week’s meeting of Ballybay – Clones MD, Cathaoirleach Sinéad Flynn proposed that the council write to the Minister for Climate, the Tánaiste, and the Taoiseach, to scrap planned increases to the carbon tax, reduce taxes on petrol, diesel, and home heating oil, and to introduce an emergency cost of living support package for households.
Her motion was supported by fellow Sinn Féin Councillor, Pat Treanor, and Fine Gael Councillor, Seán Gilliland.
Cllr. Flynn believes that we are currently in a cost of living crisis, and that the war in Iran is increasing the problem.
Speaking to Northern Sound, she said the government needs to introduce a package that will help people as quickly as possible.
Cllr. Flynn said: “The government could deliver that in the form of reducing taxes on energy, and home heating oil, diesel, and petrol.
“We live in a rural area, and unfortunately when price hikes come, it hits us even harder. We need our cars to get to work, we need our cars to bring the kids to school, and to access services.
“It is vitally important that something is introduced as soon as possible,” Cllr. Flynn added.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Seán Gilliland said that rising fuel prices is having a devastating impact on people.
According to Cllr. Gilliland, the government has to be careful regarding short-term relief.
He explained that it is important that a vacuum isn’t left to allow large fuel companies to increase prices further.
Cllr. Gilliland said: “Government has to be careful in relation to a short term measure of relief. They do acknowledge that there has to come some relief, they’re working on a number of scenarios at the moment.
“Like everyone else, I was no different, I couldn’t understand why we can’t reduce the carbon tax, or take some of the revenue off it, or reduce the price by that.
“It was explained, that you have to be careful that it doesn’t leave a vacuum for large oil companies to step in and increase it that much more. In six months time, whenever the relief given is re-applied, that it doesn’t go on to a more inflated price,” he explained.