Irish Petrol Prices Soaring

While Northern Ireland has already recorded the highest price for unleaded at 129.9pence per litre in the UK during February - with Yorkshire and Humberside at the lowest - at 127.8pence, Dublin drivers are really getting hammered.

Even taking the exchange rate into consideration, the Republic Of Ireland petrol prices are now even higher - over €1.50 per litre - and are expected to rise further as disruption in world oil supplying countries continues.

Prices as high as €1.52 in south Dublin were reported on this Monday's Morning Ireland programme, with most pumps experiencing a two cent increase to €1.519.

The turmoil in Libya is continuing as Col Gaddaffi continues his battle with anti-Gaddaffi protestors.

Gaddaffi has reportedly taken a number of strategic towns in recent days, and it is thought the country is on the brink of an outright civil war.

Estimates on the death toll resulting from the ongoing violence ranges between 1,000 and 6,500, depending on the source, with the higher estimates coming from rebel forces.

In their monthly Fuel Price Report for February, a spokesman for the AA said: "Average pump prices for both petrol and diesel have continued to rise to new record highs. However, in neighbouring European countries, drivers were given some respite during mid to late January with a drop in the cost of fuel.

"Troubles in the Middle East threaten even higher oil prices with oil prices as $103 a barrel."

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland has just recorded the highest diesel price at 135.0ppl while Yorkshire and Humberside have the cheapest diesel at 133.2ppl.

The NI Consumer Council is urging the Government to consider the introduction of a fuel price stabiliser in Northern Ireland.

With duty and VAT contributing almost two thirds to the price charged at the pump, the introduction of a fuel price stabiliser could help cushion motorists from the continuing rise in petrol and diesel - especially at a time where the Middle Eastern oil markets are volatile.

Aodhan O'Donnell of the Consumer Council said last week - before prices continued their rise: "The ongoing situation in the Middle East is having a knock-on effect for motorists, with the average price of a litre of diesel now over £1.33 and for petrol it's £1.28. Northern Ireland depends heavily on car travel as the main mode of transport and the Consumer Council is concerned at how the rising price of petrol and diesel will impact on consumers here.

"At the start of March 2011 it costs £65.11 to fill a car with petrol and £67.84 for diesel – that's an increase of £8.37 for petrol and £10.50 for diesel from this time last year. Consumers have borne the brunt of increasing petrol and diesel prices for too long and it's now time for the Government to step in and help motorists.

"We want to see the Government take action and take it swiftly," he said.

(DW/BMcC)