Motorists around the country have been feeling the pinch too of late. Petrol and diesel costs are have been increasing at frightening pace and those of us who commute reasonable distances to and from work will have noticed a not inconsiderable rise in our travel costs at the end of each subsequent month this year.

Where is it going to stop however? The truth is, in all likelihood, it actually won’t. That a company the size of Ryanair could make such a momunental oversight is quite astounding. The price of a barrell of oil is only going in one direction.

The enourmous rate of industrial growth in countries such as China and India is being fuelled by a finite oil supply, while in countries such as Ireland, the consumer’s insatiable need to spend larger incomes on such items as bigger and more cars can really only end in one outcome.

With demand as high as it is now, the energy saving measures and tax disincentives required to bring this potential crisis under control are more than a little late, and will most definitely be unpopular. Short term discomfort in order to enjoy long term gain is unfortunately not in the collective make up of the Ireland we live in today.

So we can expect to see road hauliers strikes, airlines grounding planes, petrol rise to €2 per litre and exponents of nuclear power rubbing their hands with glee as the great well of black gold finally runs dry.

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