16/05/2008

'Phenomenal' Fuel Prices Hit A Record High

Diesel and petrol prices have hit a record high today, according to a new survey by motoring lobby group AA.

The report, which has highlighted the continued price hikes, found the average price of diesel is currently 132.4c - a 7.8c increase in the last month. Meanwhile, petrol has increased by 3.8c to 124.9c on average.

Hauliers - as well as ordinary motorists - who are turning to diesel as a more 'environmentally-friendly' version, are being hit by the extraordinary costs of diesel.

"The rise in diesel prices is phenomenal," said AA Public Affairs Manager Conor Faughnan.

"We have never seen prices rise so fast or reach so high. It is having a major impact on diesel motorists and also on the cost of haulage and costs for many businesses. It's bad news for the consumer's pocket and the economy as a whole."

He continued: "We can understand oil prices pushing up the cost of the fuel. But that does not explain why diesel is affected so much worse than petrol."

Mr Faughnan also went on to explain that prices have risen across the whole of Europe, yet there has been no explanation as to why this is the case.

"European countries including Ireland are encouraging Ireland their motorists to switch to diesel for environmental reasons, and it would be extremely disappointing if those consumers lost out," he added.

"This diesel mystery needs to be solved, and both the Irish Government and the European Commission need to make it their business to find out what is going on."

At this time of year it is more usual for the price of diesel to drop, however this year the increase has shown a massive change in the trend. As a result, Mr Faughnan has called upon both the Government and the European Commission to investigate the "phenomenal" rise.

(JM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 August 2012
Toxic Diesel Sludge Discovered In County Louth
Containers filled with thousands of litres of toxin diesel sludge have been dumped at the side of a road in County Louth. Two of the six containers found were leaking sludge across the R132, and a clean up operation is currently under way. The road is expected to be closed until noon.
24 October 2011
Diesel Laundering Costing Exchequer €150m
It has been revealed that diesel laundering is costing the Exchequer €150m in tax revenue every year and that 12% of diesel sold in Ireland is illegal. According to recent findings by Retail Ireland the sale of cheap diesel is seriously damaging public finances, funding criminality and harming the environment.
07 March 2011
Irish Petrol Prices Over €1.50 Per Litre
Irish petrol prices are now over €1.50 per litre and are expected to rise further as disruption in world oil supplying countries continues. Prices as high as €1.52 in south Dublin were reported on this Monday's Morning Ireland programme, with most pumps experiencing a two cent increase to €1.519.
19 June 2008
Dubliners Pay More Says CSO
Recent figures have shown Dubliners are paying more for everyday items than consumers in the rest of the country. The figures released by the Central Statistics Office also show that the gap has increased in the last six months, rendering the average basket of goods and services in Dublin 4.9% more than outside the city.
22 February 2008
Waterford Motorcyclist Killed
There has been another road fatality today with news that a 22-year-old man has died in a road crash in Co Waterford. The man died when the motorbike he was riding collided with a car at Ballymacague, Dungarvan, Co Waterford The collision occurred at 12:50pm this afternoon. There were no other reported injuries.