'Someone is price gouging' - Laois TD calls for investigation into fuel prices

A Laois TD has said that the Government needs to investigate price gauging when it comes to the price of fuel at the pump.

The Government signed off on a fuel package worth over €500 million at the weekend, which included a 10c cut in excise on petrol and diesel until the end of July, a reduction of 2.4c on green diesel, and increases to the carbon tax being delayed until the Budget in October. 

Speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, Brian Stanley TD has said that the measures announced by the Government will bring some relief, although families are "not much better off this morning."

In addition to the measures, Deputy Stanley said the Government must investigate the possibility of price gouging with fuel. Even with the reduction in excise, the cost of fuel at the pump will remain high.

"Someone is price gouging. Fuels For Ireland will say they're not. But someone is taking a bigger slice," he argued.

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The Independent TD urged that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission investigate this immediately. 

As the Government faces a motion of no confidence on Tuesday, April 14 over its handling of the fuel protests, the Laois TD has confirmed he will support the motion.

"The Government need to learn lessons, as they refused to recognise the scale of the problem of hauliers, and contract farmers, etc operating at a loss," he said. 

Deputy Stanley argued that throughout the protests last week "the Government continued to make things worse."

He commended the protesters and especially those in Laois, applauding their organisation and cooperation with local gardaí.

Deputy Stanley noted that the issue with the cost of fuel had been raised prior to the protests.

"Others and I have been raising the fuel cost issue for months. Two weeks before the protests, I wrote to the Minister for Finance Simon Harris and asked him to meet with the sectors and put a package together as many of them were running at a loss."

Deputy Stanley emphasised that although the package announced by the Government will alleviate some pressure, "it is not going far enough."

"There is still a cost-of-living crisis for workers and families, and this must be addressed."

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