Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Countryside Alliance Ireland has welcomed the announcement of a freeze on fuel duty, but has called on Government to make a more substantial and long-term move to help rural communities.

The 2p increase, which had already been put off, has again been postponed by Government from October until at least next March.

Lyall Plant Chief Executive of Countryside Alliance Ireland commented: “At present every little saving is worth a lot with the spiraling cost of living, so this news is welcome, even though the freeze is only short term. A postponement does not represent a positive policy however, and it now falls to Government to tell us how it plans to help our struggling communities to cope with the rising cost of living.

“In rural areas cars are a necessity rather than a luxury, so whilst putting off a fuel duty hike is good news today, it will be a different story when the inevitable rise happens.”