Fuel prices continue to tumble
It can be difficult to see the silver lining at times like this, but the dramatic fall in fuel prices is a welcome distraction for motorists and homeowners.
Figures released by AA Ireland show that fuel prices around the world have plunged due to the COVID-19 outbreak and an oil-price feud between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
A litre of petrol now costs an average of 126.5c, a substantial decrease of over 15c compared to last month’s average price of 141.9c; while diesel has tumbled to 116.9c.
In Cavan, on Monday, diesel was selling at Jones Oil for 117.9c/l. It is generally one of the cheapest outlets in the county town but prices have been falling at the pumps all over the county.
“Fuel is at a lower level than it was 15 years ago,” Padraig Rudden, owner of Costcutter Rudden's Service Station told the Celt.
“There is no sign of it going back up. The sale of fuel has dropped by as much as 30% because there are less cars on the road. It is going to keep going down, perhaps for the next six months,” he anticipated.
Padraig says that people's buying patterns are changing: “Most people filled their cars last week and have done very little driving.
“A top up for them now is only €12 or €15. they are keeping them full in case there is a lockdown. Last week was a busy week, but this week fuel sales are dropping.”
The forecourt boss says the price of petrol and diesel is having a knock-on effect on other parts of the business: “People are tending to do their shopping in smaller shops. There are less people inside. You can live out of some of the fuel stations here in Cavan. Some people are doing their shopping in fuel stations.”
Padraig said that customer and staff safety is a major concern: “All the filling stations in the Cavan area had a meeting about precautionary measures.
“We are installing perspex on the counters to limit the interactions. From today on, we are operating day-on, day-off working so that less staff are working, to keep people apart and to keep the jobs going.”
AA Director of Consumer Affairs, Conor Faughnan,said: “At a time where we’re all looking for some positive news, the significant drop in pump prices is a welcome development for motorists across the country – particularly those who may be more reliant on their car currently than they ordinarily would be."