Irish petrol and diesel prices have not risen in line with surging global oil cost but AA Ireland warned today that there was "no doubt" prices would go up.
The national average price of a litre of petrol is 99.1 cent, with diesel averaging 94.4 cent, according to the motoring group's monthly fuel survey.
"There is no sign yet of an increase in prices following the surge in crude oil prices internationally," public affairs manager Mr Conor Faughnan said. "But I am afraid there is no doubt that prices are going to rise. With oil having topped $53 per barrel in the last fortnight it is only a matter of time before that cost rise comes down the supply chain to Irish forecourts."
Fuel costs have risen dramatically over the last year.
Immediately before last December's budget, petrol cost an average 86.4 cent. The AA estimates the cost of running a car has increased by €19.00 per month.
"This is a very significant rise in the cost of living for almost all of us." Mr Faughnan added. "Certainly the world oil situation has been a key reason, but lets not forget the own goal which the government inflicted on us in the last budget when excise duty was increased by 5 cent per litre."
"This made a bad situation worse. 67 per cent of the price of petrol is now tax and we would call on the government to remove that increase when the budget is announced in six weeks time."
