Sligo Fianna Fail Councillor believes Governments fuel reductions don’t go far enough

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Cllr Edel McSharry has called for immediate, time-bound Government action to address rising fuel costs.

While she welcomed the existing €505 million package, including the cumulative tax and levy cuts of 32 cent per litre reduction on diesel, the 27 cent per litre on petrol, however, she said it is clear from direct engagement with constituents that these measures are not sufficient.

Having spoken with protestors earlier this week, Cllr McSharry said, “Following early morning engagement with protestors, as well as ongoing representations, construction workers, sole traders and healthcare workers, particularly those delivering vital care in the community and travelling to visit patients; have outlined the real and immediate pressure they are under.

"Many have warned that they can no longer afford to sustain their work, with some questioning their ability to continue operating at all, raising serious concerns for housing delivery, small business viability and the continuity of patient care in the community.”

Cllr McSharry emphasised that while supports for haulage and farming contractors are important and welcome, many other workers who depend on transport as a core part of their job are being left behind despite facing the same cost pressures. She stated that this is now compounding the wider cost-of-living crisis and, although influenced by geopolitical factors outside Ireland’s control, requires decisive domestic intervention.

She is calling on Government to introduce an expanded emergency package focused on those sectors most exposed to fuel costs, warning that without swift and targeted and timebound action with ongoing monitoring, the sustainability of essential services, workforce retention and project delivery will be increasingly at risk.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.