Motorists have had to fork out more for fuel since midnight last night. The price of petrol has gone up by 7c/L and diesel has risen by 5c. Farmers are also being hit, with the cost of agri-diesel increasing by 1c/L.
Sinn Fein Energy spokesperson Darren O'Rourke says the move piles pressure on people. "This only serves to heap additional costs onto workers and families in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and at a time when we have already seen the price of fuel increase," he continued.
"This measure should be reversed by Government and more than that, plans for further increases at the petrol pumps in October should be abandoned." Meanwhile, the Restaurant Association of Ireland says the move by the Government to increase the 9% VAT rate to 13% will result in thousands of job losses in the sector.
The reduced 9% VAT rate for tourism, hospitality and some other services returned to 13.5% at midnight last night. It means Ireland will now have the third highest hospitality VAT rate in Europe.
Aisling Kelly who owns the Sligo Oyster Experience, says it has been a difficult summer with tourism numbers down, and the VAT increase is another blow. "I think it's madness to be honest," she added. "Even the Government can see by Revenue returns how businesses are doing.
"They are blaming a few hotels that are doing well on what's happening around the rest of the country and it's just wrong."
