8 November 2001 Edition
Call for All-Ireland harmonisation of fuel prices
Sinn West Tyrone Assembly member Barry McElduff has this week called for the All-Ireland harmonisation of fuel prices.
"The reason that many motorists travel to Monaghan or Donegal to buy fuel is the lower price there," he pointed out. "I would challenge the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Reg Empey that there is an overwhelming argument in support of the harmonisation of fuel prices at an all-Ireland level.
"Our economy is losing between £100 million and £200 million a year. It is one thing to recognise the damage and instability this is creating in border economies but it is time for us to take the bull by the horns and make difficult decisions.
"We can bury our head in the sand but if we move to harmonise fuel prices then businesses in areas like Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh would not be operating at such a disadvantage. We can, however, move to head the whole fiasco off at the pass. If Reg Empey moves quickly on the All-Ireland Agenda we will see a real difference in the quality of lives of people living in border communities."
"The reason that many motorists travel to Monaghan or Donegal to buy fuel is the lower price there," he pointed out. "I would challenge the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Reg Empey that there is an overwhelming argument in support of the harmonisation of fuel prices at an all-Ireland level.
"Our economy is losing between £100 million and £200 million a year. It is one thing to recognise the damage and instability this is creating in border economies but it is time for us to take the bull by the horns and make difficult decisions.
"We can bury our head in the sand but if we move to harmonise fuel prices then businesses in areas like Tyrone, Fermanagh and Armagh would not be operating at such a disadvantage. We can, however, move to head the whole fiasco off at the pass. If Reg Empey moves quickly on the All-Ireland Agenda we will see a real difference in the quality of lives of people living in border communities."