Ireland's petrol retailers launch petition against diesel price increase
The Irish Petrol Retailers Association (IPRA) has launched a petition asking consumers for their support to overturn Government proposals to increase the diesel fuel duty.
The Government of Ireland has made a proposal to equal the current duty rates for diesel and petrol, which stand at 0.50cpl and 0.61cpl respectively.
The proposals came last year from the government´s Tax Strategy Group and could be implemented in this year’s budget. The argument for increasing the diesel duty rate is for ‘environmental reasons’ and the yield to revenue (if the rates are equalised) would amount to €330M assuming no change in customer behaviour.
David Blevings, spokesperson for the IPRA, explained how the increase in the diesel duty rate would be detrimental for the economy, rural transport and non-city dwellers.
“Any increase in diesel fuel cost will hit the rural car user who needs the car to travel, has the potential to damage the recovering economy in rural areas, will increase the cost of consumer goods as road transport costs will increase and could encourage cross border shopping for fuel,” said Blevings.
The IPRA is the industry body representing the interests of over 500 independent petrol retailers in Ireland.
