Rose Conway-Walsh: Constituents freezing as oil prices soar
Rose Conway-Walsh raises an email from a constituent left freezing after running out of home heating oil amid steep price hikes, and challenges the government over fuel and carbon taxes. She sets out Sinn Féin's proposal to cut petrol and diesel by 25% per litre and reduce the cost of a standard 1,000 litre heating oil fill by 183 euro.
Constituent testimony: Rose Conway-Walsh begins with a direct account from a constituent who says she has recently run out of oil because of a massive price increase and can no longer afford to refill her tank. The speech frames the issue as one of basic living conditions and health, not comfort.
Tax criticism and policy context: Conway-Walsh criticises current government fuel tax rates and the planned carbon tax increase on 1 May, saying the government charges almost double the EU minimum fuel tax and that many people and small businesses are being crippled by these costs.
Sinn Féin proposal and impact: Sinn Féin's legislation, presented in the speech, would cut petrol and diesel costs by 25% per litre and reduce a 1,000 litre home heating oil fill by 183 euro. Conway-Walsh argues this relief would keep small businesses open and allow people to live in their own homes without choosing between heat and essentials.
Political choice for TDs: The address closes by putting a clear choice to every TD: stand with workers, families and small businesses who are struggling now, or allow what the speaker calls an energy ripoff to continue. The motion is presented as urgent relief that cannot wait.
Constituent testimony: Rose Conway-Walsh begins with a direct account from a constituent who says she has recently run out of oil because of a massive price increase and can no longer afford to refill her tank. The speech frames the issue as one of basic living conditions and health, not comfort.
Tax criticism and policy context: Conway-Walsh criticises current government fuel tax rates and the planned carbon tax increase on 1 May, saying the government charges almost double the EU minimum fuel tax and that many people and small businesses are being crippled by these costs.
Sinn Féin proposal and impact: Sinn Féin's legislation, presented in the speech, would cut petrol and diesel costs by 25% per litre and reduce a 1,000 litre home heating oil fill by 183 euro. Conway-Walsh argues this relief would keep small businesses open and allow people to live in their own homes without choosing between heat and essentials.
Political choice for TDs: The address closes by putting a clear choice to every TD: stand with workers, families and small businesses who are struggling now, or allow what the speaker calls an energy ripoff to continue. The motion is presented as urgent relief that cannot wait.
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Transcript
Go raibh maith agat. Tánaiste, I want to begin by raising an email I received from a constituent freezing in their own home because they ran out of heating oil and she says I have recently ran out of oil due to the massive price hike which is reported to be up to 60% in some areas I simply can't afford to refill the tank as a result I'm left freezing in my own home which is not a situation anyone should face in 2026 this is becoming completely unmanageable and it's wrong the government are punishing and crippling the average worker this requires more than finger wagging and a slap on the wrist this is not about comfort it is about basic living conditions and health no one should be forced to choose between heating their home and meeting other essential expenses she like others has been hit with the largest hike in the price of home heating oil in the EU at almost eight times the EU average and at the same time your government charges almost double the EU minimum fuel tax rates taking up to 65% of the price at the pump and coming down the track on the 1st of May your planned carbon tax will bring increases as well so you're not only planning to leave things the same you're planning to increase them and it makes no sense to this woman and to so many other women who are suffering and that is why this legislation is so important tonight Sinn Féin's legislation would cut the cost of petrol and diesel by 25% per litre and cut a 183 euro off a standard 1,000 litre fill of home heating oil for small businesses that is the difference and for people that is the difference between small businesses staying open and it's the difference between people being able to live and survive in their own homes Minister you have to do something about it this motion gives every TD in here a clear choice stand with workers with families and with small businesses who are struggling to cope or allow the energy ripoff to continue we need to give real relief to the people and businesses who simply cannot afford to wait any longer