Donegal motorists are facing an increasingly punishing cost of getting to work as fuel prices approach €2.20 a litre, Buncrana councillor Jack Murray has warned.
The Sinn Féin councillor is calling for cuts to petrol and diesel taxes, along with the removal of carbon tax on home heating oil, as households face mounting costs ahead of winter.
His intervention comes amid renewed pressure on the Government over fuel prices, with Sinn Féin due to bring forward emergency legislation aimed at reducing the cost of heating homes.
Cllr Murray said the situation was particularly difficult in rural counties such as Donegal, where many households depend on their cars for everyday journeys.
“With prices approaching €2.20 a litre, and a significant proportion of the price made up of tax, these costs are becoming unaffordable for many households.
“In a county like Donegal, where having a car is essential for the vast majority of people, this is simply not sustainable.”
He warned that rising home heating oil prices were adding another financial burden as winter approaches.
“People shouldn’t simply be expected to absorb higher and higher costs for getting to work, bringing children to school or heating their homes.
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“The Government has choices.
“Cut the taxes. Bring down the cost of fuel. Give households some breathing space.”
Meanwhile, Donegal TD and Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has brought forward emergency legislation seeking to remove carbon tax from home heating oil.
The proposal follows a sharp increase in heating costs.
Today in Donegal, the average cost of 1,000 litres of home heating oil has risen to €1,605, an increase of 77.5% compared with September 2025
The same 1,000 litres of oil on 20th September 2025 was an average of €904.
Deputy Doherty accused the Government of failing to provide sufficient relief for households dependent on oil heating.
“For months, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents have stood by while workers, families and pensioners who rely on home heating oil have borne the full force of rising energy costs.
“Home heating oil has been one of the fuels hardest hit by soaring prices, yet the Government has stubbornly refused to remove a single cent of carbon tax from its price.”
He said some families were now struggling to afford a refill and urged the Government to support the legislation.
“The Government must support Sinn Féin’s legislation to act decisively by removing carbon tax from home heating oil for as long as prices remain high.”
The Government has indicated that it is considering tax reductions on home heating oil as part of Budget 2027, which is due to be announced on Tuesday the 6th of October.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed at the National Ploughing Championships that ministers were examining ways to ease the burden on households using kerosene.