Clarity needed on govt fuel supports - Fitzmaurice
Independent Ireland agriculture spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice has welcomed elements of the government’s latest fuel support package.
However, the Roscommon-Galway TD said that "significant gaps and practical concerns remain" for the agriculture, construction, and haulage sectors.
Deputy Fitzmaurice said the reduction in excise duty on green diesel and the proposed 20c/L rebate for farmers and agricultural contractors were positive steps, but said that delivery will be key.
"We welcome the reduction in excise on green diesel and the rebate for farmers and agricultural contractors. However, this must be a simplified system.
"Farmers need clarity that receipts from local suppliers and smaller purchases will be accepted.
"Many are not operating at the scale of large contractors, and the system must reflect that reality," he said.
Fuel
Deputy Fitzmaurice added that "a lot of clarification" is needed in relation to how rebates are to be drawn down.
"That detail needs to come because we do not want to see cumbersome ways of doing this.
"Everybody knows that there is a war on, but to put it very simply, in our opinion, due to government inaction, prices have been allowed to rise across different sectors because we sat on our hands while this was happening," he said.
Deputy Fitzmaurice also raised concerns that the building sector seems to have been excluded from the scheme.
Protests
Despite the measures which have been announced, Deputy Fitzmaurice warned that significant cost pressures remain.
"Even with the rebates and excise reductions, the reality is that green diesel is still likely to cost in the region of 35c/L more than before the war, and that is fluctuating daily.
"That is a major burden, and cash flow will be a serious issue for many this year," he said.
Deputy Fitzmaurice also welcomed the 10c/L reduction in white diesel but said there were some shortcomings in the targeted support scheme.
"There is provision for an emergency fund for the haulage sector, which we welcome however all we have so far is a name, we don't know how much this is for or how much will be payable.
"It is our understanding that this measure will be extended to those haulage sector that do not require a haulage licence, the problem is we do not know how this is going to be administered and we do not know the figures involved," he said.
The TD added that he was disappointed that those relying on kerosene to heat their homes had "been excluded from any supports".
"One fuel that has seen the highest increase is kerosene, while there was some support in the government's first announcement there has been no additional supports in this package, home heating oil is still at an unaffordable level for a lot of people," he said.
No confidence vote
Sinn Féin is set to table a motion of no confidence in the government tomorrow (Tuesday, April 14) over its handling of the fuel protests.
Deputy Fitzmaurice confirmed that Independent Ireland will be voting no confidence in the government.
Further fuel protests took place at locations around the country this morning.
Deputy Fitzmaurice claimed that the government had "ignored warnings and failed to act" ahead of the protests.
"It’s sad to that the government had to be brought kicking and screaming to the table to bring in the measures that they have brought," he said.
