Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture and food, Martin Kenny has slammed the government's latest fuel support package for "not going far enough to support Irish farm families and agri-contractors".

The Sligo-Leitrim TD said that farm families need more than the additional 2.4c/L cent reduction on green diesel announced as part of the €505 million package announced on Sunday (April 12).

The government is also set to introduce a €100 million fuel subsidy support scheme for farming and fisheries.

While the planned increase to carbon tax due to take effect next month is being postponed until the budget in October.

Green diesel

Commenting on the government package, Deputy Kenny claimed: "Irish farm families have been let down again and again by this government since it came to office".

"Now once again when farm families and agri-contractors were forced to take to the streets because government continuing to refuse to listen to them, the government has done the bare minimal when it comes to offering support to the hard-working people of Ireland," he added.

The Sinn Féin TD acknowledged that "we are in the middle of a fuel crisis and there is no end to it in sight".

"There are choices that the government can do to help alleviate the crippling cost of fuel. In relation to green diesel the government is proposing a measly 2.4c/L reduction in excise.

“Why does the government and the department of agriculture have to complicate everything when it comes to supporting Irish agriculture?

"Will farmers still be waiting to get paid for this fuel support scheme this time next year?" he said.

Fuel

Deputy Kenny said farmers and agri-contractors are "struggling now, and they need supports now".

"The government had a choice to reduce the excise and carbon tax by the maximum which is a reduction of 20c on green diesel," he said.

The TD said Sinn Féin had proposed this in an amendment to the government’s financial resolution but it was rejected.

Yesterday, the government won a motion of confidence in the Dáil which had been tabled in response to Sinn Féin's motion of no confidence over the government's handling of the ongoing fuel crisis.

The counter motion of confidence in the government was passed by a majority vote of 92 in favour and 78 against.

However the government coalition is not without its casualties as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae tendered his resignation from his position.

It follows nationwide protests and blockades over the past week over the cost of fuel, primarily led by farmers, hauliers and contractors.