Sinn Féin must stop spreading misinformation from fossil fuel lobbyists

The Green Party has called on Mary Lou McDonald to stop spreading misinformation from fossil fuel lobbyists in a shameless bid to win votes.

Twice in recent days, the Sinn Féin leader has repeated incorrect claims from Fuels for Ireland that the last Government added €12 in tax to a tank of petrol or diesel.

In fact, the last Government introduced a temporary excise reduction of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15c per litre on diesel after prices spiked following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This cut saved motorists about €12 on the cost of filling up their tanks. As prices at the pumps eased, the reduction was gradually phased out. 

Green Party Dublin Central TD Neasa Hourigan said that to suggest that this was a new tax is incredibly misleading;

“We always knew that Mary Lou McDonald hasn’t a clue about climate but to parrot false attack lines from Big Oil lobbyists is particularly shocking.

“The next time Sinn Féin opens their mouth on climate let’s all remember how eager they are to side with the oil lobbyists who will do anything to keep us hooked on dirty fossil fuels.”

Deputy Hourigan said it was astonishing to hear Mary Lou “guarantee” that petrol and diesel prices would be lower under a Sinn Féin government.

“Unless Mary Lou is running to become the leader of a Gulf State instead of Taoiseach, I don’t know how she can offer such a guarantee as the main factor that causes sudden movements in petrol prices is the international price of oil.

“We saw oil prices spike after Russia invade Ukraine and it will continue to fluctuate regardless of whatever nonsense Sinn Féin claims it will do.”

The Green Party TD also hit out at the Sinn Féin leader’s constant attacks on the carbon tax during media interviews. While the carbon tax has increased in recent years – as agreed by the Oireachtas – it makes up only about one twelfth of the cost of a tank of petrol.

“Mary Lou loves to have a go at the carbon tax but it’s curious that she never talks about the positive things that it pays for – is she unhappy that the homes of more than 100 older people are made warmer and cheaper every week? Or is she annoyed that the carbon tax was used to increase the fuel allowance in recent years?

“Perhaps Mary Lou can tell pensioners in cold, draughty homes that she wants to stop the Warmer Homes Scheme from being expanded.”