Offaly TD criticises "obvious price gouging" at filling stations

Offaly TD Barry Cowen has condemned the "price gouging" seen at petrol stations across Ireland following the government's decision to cut excise on fuel last night.

The government acted to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by 20 and 15 percent respectively but motorists have seen little change in prices.

Fianna Fáil TD, Barry Cowen said he would quote "Evidence from across social media, across the country, where many petrol and diesel forecourts increased prices yesterday in advance of and again today after Dáil legislated to reduce excise duties."

He has written to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission quoting the price gouging.

Mr Cowen hit out at the increases in prices at petrol stations on Twitter.

"Was in an Apple Green today. Staff member told me at 4:45pm yesterday they got instruction to increase diesel price from €1.99 to €2.14.This morning it’s back to €1.99 after excise duty cut!! Price gouging and profiteering on the back of an illegal barbaric invasion of Ukraine!"

The Offaly TD is asking members of the public to email examples and evidence of the fuel increases to barry.cowen@oireachtas.ie

Petrol and diesel prices in Ireland are at the highest level on record, at an average just short of €2 per litre.

According to the Automobile Association (AA), prices stood at 138.9 cents per litre for petrol and 129.8 cents per litre for diesel in March 2021. That’s an average increase of 44% for petrol in the last year and a 54% increase for diesel.

Recent AA Ireland figures indicate that the average motorist in a petrol car would spend nearly €2,500 annually to run their car at current fuel prices which is €1,000 more than in 2020 (54% increase).

The average price of petrol has increased by over 20 cents in the last three weeks. The Government’s cut in duty by 20 cents per litre on petrol is likely to save the average motorist around €240 per year.

AA Ireland Head of Communications, Paddy Comyn said "While we welcome any measure to reduce the price of petrol and diesel, and the assurance that this will remain in place until the end of August, this is unlikely to see us avoid further record petrol and diesel prices in the short-term as the price of a barrel of oil continues to increase and wholesale prices for petrol and diesel increase accordingly."