Fuel duty must rise

Transport Minister Ryan will reverse cuts to tax

- LOUISE BURNE

EXCISE and duty on petrol and diesel must rise in two weeks if Ireland is to have a “stable revenue base”, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said yesterday. 

The Government cut the levy in March last year as fuel prices soared due to the war in Ukraine.

In February, it announced the cuts would be restored on a phased basis between June and September.

The first increase on June 1 will add 6c and 5c to a litre of petrol or diesel respectively.

When asked if he believed it was appropriate for fuel prices to rise while the country is in the middle of a cost of living crisis, Mr Ryan said the cuts must be phased out.