The eight cent per litre tax on petrol is an “anti-worker penalty” and is “a penalty on every worker driving to work” according to Fine Gael TD Pádraic McCormack.
The Galway TD was reacting to Budget 09 which has proven highly controversial. He said that many people drive from Clifden, Lettermore, Carraroe, and Clonbur into Galway city each day.
“Environment Minister John Gormley says they should cycle to work,” said Dep McCormack. “It is much he knows about it! I would like to see him cycling from Clifden to work in Galway on a windy day.”
He said that once people arrive in town from the outlying areas to work at a factory, county council, hospital, or school, the Government will charge them €200 for parking there.
“Another tax on the list is 4.5 per cent added to their motor tax,” he said. “It is a complete penalty on the worker driving to work.”
