Thousands of miles away from the conflict between Iran and Israel in the Middle East, the war’s effects are being felt in the pockets of Limerick motorists as concerns grow over rising fuel costs.
“It’s going to skyrocket I think, to be honest with you. We’ll be walking everywhere” warns Sharon O’Halloran. “It’s going to be everything across the board. We’ll suffer in the long run.”
Her concerns are manifested in the recent increase in costs for petrol, diesel, and home heating oil.
The Irish Times reported that the price of heating oil has increased by almost 60% in just a week since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran.
“I’m hoping the weather will keep warm, because I’m expecting a big rise in the fuel [costs] for home,” Nick O’Mara states. “I haven’t seen it in the pumps yet, but I haven’t filled my car this weekend yet, so we’ll see.”
“It is a big concern,” he continues. “It’s totally out of our hands, we don’t know what’s going to happen in the Middle East. The sooner that comes to an end, the better for everybody.”
Sam Biplob says the costs should alarm us all; “I’m middle class, I’m not too rich so it’s definitely going to affect me with the money I’m on at the moment. The war is affecting regular people like us; if this keeps going on, we are the people who will suffer.”
Taxi driver Frank Carroll claims he’s noticed costs at some fuel pumps shoot up from €1.74 cent per litre to €1.80 cent per litre in the past week.
“That tells its own story. It’s only going to go up. Even when this war is finished, it will stay up, in my opinion.”
When asked if he was concerned about potential price gouging, he said it was already happening.
“Just drive around, you’ll see it. Look at all the pumps, and every day they’re increasing it.”
Rising complaints have sparked Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke to ask the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for an investigation to be held regarding these concerns in a statement released on Wednesday.
“I am assured by the CCPC that these complaints will be carefully and urgently assessed. Our consumer watchdog can avail of a range of powers to investigate and prosecute where clear breaches of the law are evident.”