A Fianna Fáil TD has called for "dialogue between government, farmers and farming organisations" amid growing concern over costs.

Carlow-Kilkenny TD Peter 'Chap' Cleere said this week, government introduced targeted measures to "help those most in need due to soaring prices around the cost of diesel and petrol".

Amongst these measures there was a 3c reduction in the cost of green diesel.

Deputy Cleere said he is "aware of the real concerns from farmers and has raised these concerns directly with the Taoiseach and Minister for Climate Energy, and the Environment".

Speaking on the matter, Cleere said: “I have had a number of phone calls and people getting in touch with my office in relation to the concerns around the price of green diesel.

“I have concerns also, and I have relayed those concerns to the Taoiseach and with Minister Darragh O’Brien.

"Dialogue is the most important thing here. We must have dialogue between government and the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors (FCI)."

Middle East

Deputy Cleere said the troubling situation in the Middle East is ongoing, and the government has "moved to act with temporary and targeted measures, but all cards must be on the table over the coming weeks in terms of those most impacted".

“I want rural Ireland to have a voice," he said.

"Farmers are the custodians of our land and are essential for delivering top-class food production that is well respected here and across the world.

“I would support a meeting with government leaders, the Minister for Agriculture and the FCI."