Current fuel crisis a glimpse of the future say Greens

According to Green Party councillor Deirdre de Burca, our currently high rates of consumption of these natural resources will mean that we will undoubtedly experience serious shortages in the supply of oil and gas in the foreseeable future.

The current dispute over fuel taxes is quite misleading as it suggests that a sharp increase in fuel taxes is sufficient to address the problem says councillor de Burca. The government already receives a considerable amount of revenue from fuel taxes and little, if any, of this revenue is invested in developing alternative and renewable energy technologies such as wind, wave and solar- powered technologies.

According to councillor de Burca, taxes which are levied on fuel should be graduated depending on the size and fleet of haulage companies, differential pricing should be allowed for areas with less developed public transport systems such as rural communities, struggling industries such as the fishing industry should be given appropriate compensation and all public service vehicles, including taxis, should be given the opportunity to claim the VAT portion of their fuel costs back.

Councillor de Burca has also suggested that taxes collected on motoring should be spent on public transport, an area in which she claims government policy is clearly lacking.

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.