Farmers may need ‘assistance in the time ahead’ - Tánaiste
The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has said that farmers and the agri-food sector may “require assistance in the time ahead”.
This week, the government confirmed a reduction of 3c/L to the cost of green diesel, as well as a cut to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) levy.
The decision forms part of measures taken by the government to reduce the spiralling cost of fuel in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East.
The conflict has also impacted on access to fertiliser.
Tánaiste Harris made his comments during a recent Dáil Éireann debate in response to Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith.
Deputy Smith said: “The Tánaiste and other members of the government indicated clearly on Tuesday (March 24) that the introduction of other relief measures would be kept under constant consideration in light of the serious difficulties facing households and businesses due to the increase in energy costs.
“I suggest that the omission of the farming community and agri-contractors from meaningful support in that announcement should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“The significant increase in fuel costs is a cause of great anxiety and concern for farmers and agri-contractors.”
The Cavan-Monaghan TD added: “We all know that increased energy costs adversely impact other essential farm inputs.
“For the consumer, food prices will also go up.”
‘Limitations’
In response to Deputy Smith, Tánaiste Harris said: “I would make the point that there are limitations on what it is legally possible to do to excise duty.
“This week, the government took measures on excise duty, fuel allowance, and the diesel rebate.
“Some members of the opposition are asking me to reduce the non-carbon excise element of home heating oil, which does not exist. I cannot do that.
“There are also rules around the Energy Tax Directive. There is a limit - I am just being honest - to how much we can do in relation to the excise duty on green diesel.”
The Tánaiste added that farmers will "benefit" from the reduction made to fuel costs and the NORA levy.
“I recognise that farmers and the agri-food sector may, like other sectors in the economy, require assistance in the time ahead."
Tánaiste Harris said that the government “will remain nimble and agile in respect of those issues”.
“This week was about excise duty and doing what we could to alleviate the cost increases in petrol and diesel, to help those most at risk of fuel poverty and to provide crucial assistance for the supply chains in our economy around the haulage sector," he said.
“I am aware of the pressures that other sectors of the economy are under or may come under in the time ahead.”
