The Irish government has lowered taxes on petrol and diesel due to soaring fuel prices, Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe announced on Wednesday.
Gasoline taxes will drop by 20 cents for a liter of diesel and 15 cents for gasoline. This measure should be maintained until August 31. On a full 60 liters, drivers can save 12 euros on gasoline and 9 euros on diesel. This measure will cost the Irish budget 320 million euros.
And in Belgium?
Everything seems more complicated. However, everything is ready to quickly implement a reduction in excise duties on fuel by means of the reverse ratchet, Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem said last Tuesday, who is awaiting the green light from the government. Minister CD&V submitted this proposal to his colleagues at the end of last year but he was until recently isolated on this issue.
This weekend, the president of MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, called for the application of this measure once more this week to deal with soaring prices. “I rejoice that minds are maturing”underlined the minister on Radio 1.
Decisions can be taken quickly, according to him, without linking this issue to others, such as the fate of nuclear reactors on which the government must decide on March 18. “As soon as possible, the better because, for many families, this has a significant impact on their budget”, said Mr. Van Peteghem. The Minister of Finance also pleaded once once more for a reduction in VAT on gas to 6% in the wake of the temporary reduction in VAT decided on electricity.
