As we speak, Irish drivers who are going about their business and driving home from work are paying more for their petrol and diesel than drivers in other European countries. The Government will point to geopolitical factors as the reason for these high petrol and diesel prices, but people should not let the Government fool them. It is Government policy that is driving up the cost of filling up their car. In the budget the Government increased the carbon tax on petrol again by adding an extra €3 to the cost of filling up a tank. This was a Government choice. In the previous term, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs voted to increase carbon tax by €15. Again, this was a Government choice. During a cost-of-living crisis, Government policy has actively driven the cost of petrol and diesel through the roof. As has been said, the cost of car insurance has sky-rocketed in Ireland. The average cost of motor insurance rose by 9% last year to its highest point in five years. That is almost double the European average and over four times the rate of inflation. Why are Irish drivers being penalised more than their European neighbours? It is because of a weak Government with weak policies that prioritises big businesses over ordinary working families. One of the calls in the Sinn Féin motion is for the Government to stand up to insurance companies and address the disproportionate profits of this industry. I had a father contact me this week. He has an 18-year-old son who took out insurance on his first car after passing his test. That in itself is a brilliant achievement for such a young man. The policy cost €1,933 for the year. Understandably, as he is just starting to work as an apprentice electrician and does not have this sort of money to pay upfront, he opted to pay the deposit with the balance paid over nine months. To his shock and horror, the cost went from €1,933 to €2,503. This young apprentice electrician is penalised by an extra charge of €570 for not having the money upfront. Here is a young man, starting his journey to making a positive contribution to society and he is being punished. How is that fair?

Sentiment score: -0.02