TD writes to Taoiseach and Tánaiste to call for fuel measures
A Louth TD has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris, calling for measures to address increasing fuel costs in the agriculture sector.
Erin McGreehan called for the introduction of targeted measures to address the costs, which have increased sharply due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Green diesel has been particularly impacted by the conflict.
"I fully recognise that the government cannot shield our domestic economy from every external shock. I believe additional measures should be taken to support the sectors that are most exposed to increases in the price of oil," McGreehan said.
“The current cost of doing business, whether ploughing fields, harvesting crops, running dairy farms, or operating fishing vessels, has become crippling," she added.
"Fuel is an essential input, and for those already struggling with narrow margins, these increases are simply unsustainable.
The Fianna Fáil TD welcomed the measures the government has already introduced, including a cut to mineral oil tax and the National Oil Reserve Agency (NORA) levy.
However, she said the agriculture sector is "uniquely impacted and therefore requires a unique response".
"Farming and fishing are fundamental to our rural and coastal economies and essential to our national food security. Any increases in fuel costs will be felt on the shelves by consumers," she said.
"It is important that supports are introduced to shield them from these increases and provide them with certainty.
McGreehan called on the government to "urgently review this matter" and to bring in measures that "recognise the realities facing ordinary families".
"A timely and effective response will provide much needed relief," she said.
She added: "Measures to support farmers and fishers will give them breathing space, which will ultimately help prevent cost increases being passed on to consumers.
She said a support package for the agriculture sector would be a "prudent approach", and would give the government flexibility to intervene if the situation in the Middle East escalates.
"It is important that we do not have any knee-jerk reaction. The situation in the Middle East is volatile and could potentially be prolonged, so it is important that we retain the fiscal breathing room to adjust if necessary," the Louth TD said.
"That said, I believe a targeted support package for the agricultural and fishing sectors is necessary in the immediacy, as farmers and fishers are uniquely impacted and therefore require a unique set of supports," she added.
