IMPACT OF RISING FUEL COSTS BEING FELT IN MONAGHAN AS GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES PRICE REDUCTION MEASURES

A call by Monaghan Co Council on Monday for the Government to act to deal with the spiralling cost of motor fuel and home heating oil was prescient of yesterday, Wednesday’s announcement that proposals were to come before the Dáil to reduce costs through the reduction of excise duties. The impact of price rises and uncertainty over fuel supplies was being felt in Co Monaghan this week. A number of fuel providers servicing Co Monaghan suspended their online ordering services because of uncertainty over supply and volatility in price.

“Due to oil supply restrictions we have been forced to temporarily take our website down as we cannot guarantee supply or price at the minute,” was the message on one provider’s website. “This is totally out of our control and when we are sure of supply we will be back online.” It is expected that a proposal will go before the Dáil today, Thursday that will cut fuel costs through a reduction in excise duties. If the necessary resolution is passed, the price changes should take effect from midnight tonight. An excise duty cut of between 15 to 20 cent per litre of diesel and petrol is being considered.

Agricultural diesel, which has a lower rate of excise duty, could be cut by a smaller figure but the ratio of the reduction would be the same. But Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD yesterday warned that any changes would “not cushion the full blow”. He…