The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) president has welcomed the additional fuel supports unveiled by the government.

However, Edward Carr has called on the government to keep the ongoing fuel situation under close review.

Last evening (Sunday, April 12), the government announced additional temporary cuts in excise duty for petrol, diesel and green diesel.

A €100 million fuel subsidy support scheme for farming and fisheries will also be introduced.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the planned increase in the carbon tax due to take effect next month is being postponed until the budget in October.

Further fuel protests took place at locations around the country this morning.

ICOS

Commenting on the latest announcement from government, ICOS president Edward Carr said:

"This additional €100 million green diesel package, as part of a wider €505 million new package, in addition to the previously announced €250 million support is very welcome, and will certainly help farmers, contractors and those who haul our produce to cope with the current enormous difficulties".

"In addition, we need to see strong supports for business, as our co-ops are currently carrying dramatically increased energy and general operating costs.

"I want to remind government that this current situation is significantly worse than during the Ukraine crisis, as the underlying milk price is some 20c/L weaker, and the sector is in no position to absorb additional costs," Carr added.

ICOS represents co-operatives across Ireland, including dairy processing co-operatives and livestock marts.

In total, Ireland has around 1,000 co-ops, with the largest 100 employing roughly 40,000 people.