Mattie McGrath demands meeting over soaring fuel costs for contractors
Mattie McGrath pressed the minister over claims that Farm Contractors and Forestry Contractors of Ireland were ignored when seeking meetings about soaring fuel and input costs. He warned that higher diesel and ad blue prices threaten harvest delivery, food supply and timber for construction and demanded a ring-fenced fuel allocation for the harvest.
Contractors' complaints
The speaker said Farm Contractors and Forestry Contractors of Ireland came to the AV room months earlier, pleading to meet the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister for Finance and that their requests had been ignored.
Rising fuel and input costs
He said diesel, agri-diesel and green-diesel have risen sharply, arguing prices are now roughly three times what they were at $1.51 last year, and that ad blue has also increased — placing heavy pressure on the contracting sector.
Call for a ring-fenced harvest fuel supply
The deputy said contractors asked for a ring-fenced supply of fuel to protect the harvest and ensure continued delivery of crops and timber, but that no action had been taken and no meetings arranged to address the request.
Risk to food and timber delivery
He warned the industry is vital to the delivery of crops, the harvest, the food supply and timber for building and accused current policy choices of risking shortages and harming those sectors.
Minister's response and proposed follow-up
The minister replied that measures had been introduced to help sectors, noted forestry licensing rose 56% in 2021 versus 2020, and said supports are being provided during the cost of living crisis. The minister invited a specific written request to raise with the Minister for Agriculture and to arrange a meeting if required.
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Minister, Farm Contractors and Forestry Contractors of Ireland came up to the AV room some months ago here, they meant Farm Contractors and Forestry Contractors of Ireland, a vital component in our industry, pleading with you and the ministers and they asked to meet the Minister of Agriculture who has ignored them, Minister of Finance, diesel, agri-diesel and green-diesel is now three times the price it was at $1.51 since last year and it's gone up that much, plus the ad blue. Minister, this industry is vital for the delivery of our crops, our harvest, our food supply and our timber for building and Minister also, they wanted a ring fence for the harvest, a certain amount of fuel to ensure that they can continue, none has been done, no heat has been taken of them and you're not interested it seems in them, so are you trying to create a situation that you will actually starve the people and there will be no food, because that seems obvious to me what's happening, the same as you're doing with your policy of inward immigration, it's madness to be honest, but you won't even meet the people, isn't it? You're elected to represent the people, the government and you have as usual to meet this credible organisation and you've refused to meet them, when will you meet them? Minister, look Deputy McGrath, you're well aware and this was discussed yesterday and earlier on today, the measures that we brought forward to help different sectors, if there is a specific request with regard to any sector and if that's in there I'll certainly raise that with the Minister for Agriculture, licensing by the way on the forestry side, in 2021 was 56% higher than in 2020 and it is an important, a very important component and part of our materials for the delivery of housing and other infrastructure and we're supporting those sectors through the measures that we're taking during this cost of living crisis. If there's a specific request in, would you say there is? If you want to get that to me, I'll discuss it directly with the Minister for Agriculture and we'll see if we can arrange a meeting shortly. V. Chancellor, Deputy Marion Harkis, please. V. C Cobalt duration offense. V. C Cobalt duration offense. V. O' O'яютpler parameter
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