Michael Collins Warns Cuts to Farmers' Rebate Could Spark Strikes
Michael Collins addressed the Dail today during a one-hour debate to challenge proposals that would remove the farmer's rebate for contractor farmers, saying the change would be unfair to citizens already struggling with energy and fuel costs.
Michael Collins opened the debate by arguing that removing the farmer's rebate for farmer contractors is unfair to people who cannot pay escalating energy bills or fuel costs. He warned the proposal could provoke strikes and called for further, proper debate.
Collins focused on two groups: ordinary households facing rising energy bills and farmers or farmer contractors who rely on the rebate. He highlighted immediate pressure at the filling station and at kitchen tables as the reasons the policy change needs careful reconsideration.
He warned that the change could lead to industrial action, saying strikes are a realistic risk if decisions are pushed through without fuller parliamentary scrutiny. Collins framed the issue as both a cost-of-living problem and a threat to rural livelihoods.
Collins urged the Dail to allow fuller discussion and proper debate on the matter rather than rushing to remove a rebate that supports farmers and contractors. He said the matter should not be tolerated without wider consideration of the social and economic impact.
Summary
Michael Collins opened the debate by arguing that removing the farmer's rebate for farmer contractors is unfair to people who cannot pay escalating energy bills or fuel costs. He warned the proposal could provoke strikes and called for further, proper debate.
Who is affected
Collins focused on two groups: ordinary households facing rising energy bills and farmers or farmer contractors who rely on the rebate. He highlighted immediate pressure at the filling station and at kitchen tables as the reasons the policy change needs careful reconsideration.
Potential consequences
He warned that the change could lead to industrial action, saying strikes are a realistic risk if decisions are pushed through without fuller parliamentary scrutiny. Collins framed the issue as both a cost-of-living problem and a threat to rural livelihoods.
Demand for proper debate
Collins urged the Dail to allow fuller discussion and proper debate on the matter rather than rushing to remove a rebate that supports farmers and contractors. He said the matter should not be tolerated without wider consideration of the social and economic impact.
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Transcript
Thank you very much indeed Ciann Comhairle, Taoiseach, with one hour for debate here today on such an important issue. It's very unfair to the people of this country, people that can't pay their energy bills, the people that are pulling up to the filling station can't pay their fuel. And to find out today that part of this debate is now going to kick out the farmer's rebate for farmer contractors, that's not going to be tolerated. It could lead to strikes in this country that we don't need to see again and we need further debate and proper debate here today. Thank you.