Seán Canney: 775 Million Support Package and Warning to Opposition
Seán Canney addresses the impact of the war in the Middle East and outlines the government’s stepped-up support measures for households, transport, agriculture and fisheries. He explains recent engagement with stakeholders, the March package and the further measures confirmed on Sunday night to ease fuel and supply-chain pressures.
Summary of the announcement
Seán Canney sets out the components of the combined support package, including reductions in excise duties, direct cuts to petrol and diesel prices, a new 100 million fuel subsidy for farming and fisheries, and a 120 million transport support scheme. He states the total support now amounts to 775 million and describes it as the highest package in the EU per capita of population.
Engagement with sectors
Canney details sustained engagement by his department and colleagues - including Minister Darragh O'Brien, Minister Michael Healary, Minister Noel Grealish, Minister Martin Hayden and Minister Timmy Dooley - with logistics, transport, school operators, farming organisations and fisheries to target help where it is needed most.
Political context and consequence
He explains why independents entered government to affect change, defends collective action with coalition partners and warns that obstruction from the opposition could jeopardise the supports already committed. Canney urges leadership and continued dialogue to protect the measures for citizens.
Impact and next steps
Canney reiterates that supports will remain under review and that engagement with stakeholders will continue to shape any further measures. He underlines the government’s resolve to protect households and key sectors through a volatile international situation.
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Over the past number of weeks there has been fear and uncertainty caused by the war in the Middle East. I understand why people are worried and the pressures they are facing. The huge volatile situation is ever evolving and has meant there is a lack of certainty for people that is causing worry and distress. This government has been working hard to ensure that supports are put in place to ease that burden on people. As soon as the conflict in Iran began, we stepped up the engagement with stakeholders across all sectors. Engagement is key to developing any support, hearing from the official representatives of stakeholders and organisations so we can put supports in place that are driven by evidence and help where they are needed most. We announced an initial package in March which totalled £250 million. As independents in government we have constructively been involved in the process from the beginning. Within my own department, Minister Darragh O'Brien and I have been engaging with all stakeholders in the logistics and supply chain area which are impacted severely by this fuel crisis. We have been doing that on a regular basis since the war began. We made it clear at the time that what we initially announced would be under constant review and we would step up with additional support if and when it was needed. Engagement and dialogue continues with stakeholders and representative groups and to ensure that any additional measures needed to be put in place would benefit these key sectors within the economy, such as transport, logistics, school transport operators and more. Within agriculture Minister Michael Healary, Minister Noel Grealish along with the colleagues Minister Martin Hayden and Minister Timmy Dooley have been engaging with various farming organisations to see where this help is most needed. A further package of measures were confirmed on Sunday night following engagement across key sectors which has been outlined already. An extensive increase in reduction in excise duties until 31 July. A further reduction in tin cents in the price of diesel bringing the total reduction to 32 cents per litre. A further reduction of 10 cents in the price of petrol bringing the total reduction to 27 cents per litre. A reduction of 2.4 in the marked gas size, green diesel. A comprehensive new 100 million fuel subsidy support scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fisheries. A cross unprecedented increase in fuel has also been confirmed. The transport support scheme which we have put in place amounts to 120 million. I think it is important to say that this combined package has brought the total support to 775 million, the highest package in the EU per capita of population. As independents we entered government to effect change. We made the decision to enter government so that we could be centrally making key decisions to help our economy and to help our citizens. The war in Iran is affecting every single citizen in this country. The state can't handle every single element of this pressure. But we have worked collectively and in partnership with other government parties to introduce key supports to ease the burden. Over the past week we have seen some members of the opposition actively encourage obstruction which is not acceptable. Key infrastructure was placed under threat. This does not help anybody. We need to work together in these unprecedented times. I would also ask the opposition to reflect on what they are trying to do today. If the opposition succeed in their aim to put this government out of business, those 775 million of supports will be not in place for the people of Ireland. And the issues will become more immensely difficult for everybody. I think it is time to show leadership and it is time to show that we have the courage to put these measures in place. For more UN videos visit www.un.org
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