Good man.

I move: To delete all the words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the volatility in fuel prices experienced now and over the last two years is due to a variety of geopolitical issues, including conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, none of which the Government has control or influence over; — crude oil is an internationally traded commodity, and its price is determined by changing global demand, and while the price of a barrel of oil has increased in recent weeks, prices are well …

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 3 together. At the outset, the Deputy should note that the Government and I are conscious of the implications of fuel costs for all sectors of society. This is reflected in the fact that in 2022, in light of the acute impact rising prices were having on households and businesses, the Government provided for excise rate reductions of 21 cent, 16 cent and 5.4 cent per litre on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil, respectively. These temporary reductions were due to end initially o…

The Government provided significant reductions in excise in 2022. Those reductions were absolutely warranted and justified by the circumstances at the time. There was a very significant energy price shock and the cost of a litre of fuel was between €2.10 and €2.20 at that point. The situation is volatile. The cost of a barrel of oil is fluctuating and has moved back up towards $90 per barrel. There are lots of different factors that feed into the final price that a consumer pays at the forecourt. I gave a commitmen…

The Deputy should also be honest and acknowledge what his policy is in respect of this matter. His policy, as set out at budget time, was that there would be full restoration this month. The Sinn Féin policy was, at the time of budget 2024, that petrol would go up by 8 cent, diesel by 6 cent, and marked gas oil by 3.4 cent in the month of April. The party said it would keep it under review and so on but-----

That is what Sinn Féin said. That is what the party provided for in its alternative budget which was costed, as Deputy Doherty always says. That is what he provided for and I assume he was being honest when he was engaging with all of the petrol and diesel garage owners across the Border counties. His policy was, and presumably remains, that there should have been full restoration in the month of April. The Government divided that into a two-part restoration. I have given a commitment that I will keep the situation…

When the Government introduced the reduction in excise in the early part of 2022, prices were between €2.10 and €2.20 per litre. Every reduction comes at a cost to taxpayers generally. Well over €1 billion has been provided by way of revenue foregone by the Exchequer to fund the reduction in excise, which was always intended to be temporary. What we did was split the restoration into a number of phases. It has been fully restored, bar the final phase. That is due to happen on 1 August. I have given a commitment to …

I am sure that what those owners do not want to hear is the over and back between the Deputy and me. They do deserve honesty in both directions. They should know what the Sinn Féin policy was, namely that there would be an 8 cent increase in the price of petrol in the month of April and 6 cent increase in the price of diesel. They deserve to know that, despite what the Deputy might be saying to them in private conversations. He should go back and look at what his party published and what it actually provided for. A…

Deputy, you know----

You have the privilege of being in opposition and going around telling everyone everything that they want to hear.

You can tell them all everything they want to hear.

You never remind yourself inside this House----

You have----

You have the luxury----

If I may, you have the luxury, Deputy-----

You have the luxury----

----of being permanently in opposition and being able to go around the county telling everyone what they want to hear.

You will never make a difficult decision, you will never do any of that.

That is the luxury you have, Deputy. Over here on this side of the House, we have to make decisions.

That is not the truth.