Home Heating Oil (Emergency Mineral Oil Tax Reduction) Bill 2026: Second Stage [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-22
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Ann Graves (SF), Dublin Fingal East

Eight of the largest oil companies have made war profits of more than €79 billion in less than three months. This is at a time when workers and families are struggling with fuel prices. In 2008, the price of crude oil reached record levels of $145 per barrel. The price today is $101 per barrel, almost one third cheaper, yet consumers are paying exorbitant rates for their fuel. The biggest driver of cost is tax. Ordinary workers are being forced to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets to pay for these profits. I understand the Government cannot control global conflicts but it must protect Irish workers and families from the effects of those conflicts. This is the eighth time Sinn Féin has brought forward legislation to reduce the cost of home heating oil. At every opportunity, the Government has voted against it. I hope, for the sake of the people I represent in Fingal East, that the Government votes in favour of struggling families.
From media leaks, it appears that the Government will make some sort of move in the forthcoming budget but this is only as a direct result of sustained pressure from Sinn Féin and the growing public anger in our communities. Voices demand action. People's voices are growing louder and people are growing more impatient with Government inaction. The cost of home heating oil has soared by as much as 75% in the past year. Last Saturday, people took to the streets of Dublin to demand an Ireland where we can all afford to live. It was a coalition of political parties, trade unions, disability organisations and community groups, all demanding that the Government respond to the cost of living crisis. This Bill will have an immediate effect on the cost of oil for the public. It would reduce the cost of a 1,000 litre fill by €183. I urge the Government and all TDs to listen to the voices of ordinary workers and families and vote in favour of this Bill. People are struggling now and the Government needs to act now.

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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