The Government has extended fuel supports for another two months after the D\u00e1il voted to approve the measure despite opposition from Sinn F\u00e9in and a split between the Healy-Rae brothers.<\/p>\n
The House voted by 104 to 49 to accept the two-month extension of supports.<\/p>\n
A reduction of 30c per litre for diesel and 25c for petrol, first introduced last April after major blockades over fuel costs, will remain in place until October 31st, T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also extending the temporary reduction applying to marked gas, oil, or green diesel from November onwards,\u201d at 7c per litre.<\/p>\n
It meant the Government was now providing more than \u20ac1.3 billion in support to assist households and businesses with increased energy costs because of the conflict in the Middle East, Harris said.<\/p>\n
The Healy-Rae brothers divided in their vote with Michael supporting the Government and Danny opposing.<\/p>\n
It is believed to be the first time since the two Kerry TDs were elected that they took opposing sides in their voting choices, echoing the split following Michael\u2019s resignation as a minister of state after the nationwide fuel protests.<\/p>\n
The Social Democrats, Labour, Green Party and Government-supporting Independents backed the proposal.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in, People Before Profit Solidarity, Independent Ireland, Aont\u00fa and 100% Redress party opposed the measure. <\/p>\n
Speaking during an emergency D\u00e1il<\/a> debate on Friday, the T\u00e1naiste said: \u201cLocking the Irish taxpayer into decisions many months and possibly years in advance is not certainty. It\u2019s actually imprudent.\u201d<\/p>\n The cost of the supports is estimated at \u20ac407 million from September 1st until the end of February 2027, but total supports over a 12-month period, including the deferred increase in carbon tax and targeted supports for different sectors will reach \u20ac1.3 billion.<\/p>\n There was \u201can immediate issue requiring an immediate decision\u201d, Harris said. This \u201cprovides breathing space\u201d and \u201censures that rather than facing a cliff edge, any restoration of these measures can be managed carefully and responsibly\u201d.<\/p>\n But Harris warned \u201cnobody knows what geopolitical development may affect markets next week, never mind next year\u201d.<\/p>\n The recall of the D\u00e1il for a special one-hour debate and vote on a two-month deferral of increases follows an incorporeal Cabinet meeting on Thursday.<\/p>\n Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald said \u201cwhat you bring today is not a solution. It\u2019s kicking the can down the road. It\u2019s postponing the pain, not removing it and that is why we will oppose your motion today.\u201d<\/p>\n Sinn F\u00e9in finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said it was \u201csix weeks of a reprieve\u201d and \u201can example of the Government not understanding the pressure that people are under\u201d.<\/p>\n Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns whose party voted for the two-month extension of supports, described the Government as \u201cpermanently stuck in reaction mode\u201d.<\/p>\n It was \u201cnot a cost-of-living strategy. It is a desperate approach from a Government with no vision and no ambition\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n Labour leader Ivana Bacik said the Government \u201chas money aplenty, but no vision, and that\u2019s the real problem of Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael. You talk of prudence, but your annual budgets are a work of fiction.\u201d<\/p>\n People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said \u201cthe only way to force the Government to act is the threat of protest and protest itself\u201d, while Green Party leader Roderic O\u2019Gorman said only reducing dependence on fossil fuels would \u201cgive long-term protection to Irish families from international volatility in the cost of oil and gas\u201d.<\/p>\n Charles Ward of the 100% Redress Party said \u201cyou knew this was coming and you didn\u2019t listen and you left it to the eleventh hour\u201d. There is \u201cno plan in place\u201d.<\/p>\n Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said the rebate for farmers \u201cis going to be kicked away and the farmers are going to get an awful kickback on this and are furious\u201d.<\/p>\n Aont\u00fa TD Paul Lawless said \u201cfamilies do not need a stay of execution for six week. They need certainly and in rural Ireland, fuel is not a luxury. It\u2019s a staple.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier the Opposition called for a D\u00e1il<\/a> vote the first five minutes of the emergency sitting over the length of the debate to ensure excise increases do not go ahead on petrol and diesel from Monday.<\/p>\n