Home Heating Oil (Emergency Mineral Oil Tax Reduction) Bill 2026: Second Stage [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-22
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Johnny Mythen (SF), Wexford

I thank my colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, for bringing this Bill forward at such a crucial period in ordinary people's lives. It is a time when people are facing into a winter dominated by the cost of living crisis. Inflation is running at 3.7%. Petrol and diesel prices have increased day by day, with forecourts displaying prices of €2.14 per litre and upwards. Electricity, gas and other fuels are up 8.5% while rents increased 9.1% alone in the past year. Public transport fares are being increased by 15%. Carbon taxes are being increased again on 1 November. Over 1.5 million people rely on home heating oil, with approximately 53% of them living in rural areas. The cost of home heating oil has risen by 50%. These are the facts. Clearly, something needs to change and change rapidly. The wait and see brigade are not cutting it any more. The present economic conditions need to be addressed now. People must be given hope, certainty and assurance that someone has their back. To be blunt and honest, that was far from the form of the last budget.
It is in the power of this Government to cut the cost of home heating oil by accepting the emergency legislation put before it by an Teachta Doherty. This gives the Government a direct line of action on a six-month basis, with the option of an extension should the high prices of home heating oil continue. I will finish up on a sentiment from one of my constituents in Wexford, George, who is an OAP. George told me that, as an OAP, filling a standard domestic oil tank now places an immense financial burden on his household. With the current average of 1000 litres sitting well over €1,600, heating his home has become a major financial strain rather than a basic necessity. By rejecting this Bill, the Minister of State has once again demonstrated the mentality of live, horse and you will get grass. This is disgraceful.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-22