Pearse Doherty has criticised the government's response to rising fuel prices after a meeting between Peter Burke and energy companies, describing the talks as ineffective while households face increasing heating and transport costs.

Following the meeting on 6 March, the Sinn Féin finance spokesperson said the government had failed to take meaningful action as the price of heating oil, petrol and diesel continues to climb. The Donegal TD called on the government to introduce a new cost-of-living support package and immediately reduce carbon tax on home heating oil.

Teachta Doherty said: "Families, workers and farmers are watching the price of home heating oil, petrol and diesel climb sharply again.

"For thousands of households the cost of filling a tank of heating oil has surged in recent days, piling even more pressure on families already stretched to the limit.

"People expected the government to step in and take decisive action. Instead, what we have seen is another photo opportunity and another round of polite conversations with the very companies charging these prices."

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Doherty said similar meetings had taken place in the past without leading to lower prices for consumers. He referenced earlier engagements with companies by ministers including Daragh O'Brien and Neale Richmond.

"We have seen this script before. Minister Daragh O'Brien called in energy companies when prices surged previously. Minister Neale Richmond called in the supermarkets over soaring grocery bills. There was lots of talk, lots of headlines – and prices went up even further.

"Families looking at their heating bills tonight will rightly ask what exactly was achieved by this meeting. The answer appears to be very little."

The Sinn Féin TD argued the government had failed to confront rising prices or protect consumers from what he described as price gouging.

"This government has proven itself completely toothless when it comes to standing up to powerful companies or tackling price gouging. When households need action, ministers reach for the press release and the meeting room. Meanwhile families are left paying the price."

He also criticised plans to increase carbon tax in the coming weeks, warning that it would add further pressure to households, farmers and small businesses already dealing with higher fuel costs.

"To make the situation even worse, the government is still planning to increase the carbon tax in the coming weeks – a move that will push fuel prices even higher for households, farmers and small businesses.

"At a time when people are already struggling to heat their homes and keep their vehicles on the road, pushing ahead with another carbon tax hike would be completely unacceptable. That increase must be scrapped.

"What people need now is leadership and action to protect them from unjustified price hikes. What they got today instead was more Government choreography while costs continue to rise. Families deserve far better than this."

Doherty said immediate measures were required to ease pressure on households.

"The government need to act quickly to bring forward a cost of living package and immediately cut carbon tax on home heating oil to reduce the cost of a refill by over €180 as an emergency measure."