Danny Healy-Rae: Machines Missed by Green Diesel Aid
Danny Healy-Rae raised concerns in the Dáil that many contractors who operate heavy machinery were excluded from recent fuel support measures. He told the Taoiseach that green diesel prices have risen sharply and asked ministers to review inclusion of rollers, diggers and cranes in relief schemes.
Danny Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach to consider supports for people involved in services and the building and construction industry, noting that rollers, diggers, cranes and every kind of machine are driven by green diesel.
The Taoiseach acknowledged the point, saying certain aspects of construction are covered by schemes but machinery is not yet included. He said he would ask the ministers for agriculture and transport to examine the issue and noted the transport scheme is nearing completion.
Healy-Rae said the cost of building has gone up and construction costs rise every day, and that the recent jump in green diesel - up by over 80 cents and only marginally reduced - is exacerbating the situation for contractors and service providers.
The Deputy urged a speedy review so contractors and farmers can be properly considered in the detailed development of support schemes. He signalled that further discussions with relevant ministers are expected to determine whether machinery can be included.
What he asked
Danny Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach to consider supports for people involved in services and the building and construction industry, noting that rollers, diggers, cranes and every kind of machine are driven by green diesel.
Government response
The Taoiseach acknowledged the point, saying certain aspects of construction are covered by schemes but machinery is not yet included. He said he would ask the ministers for agriculture and transport to examine the issue and noted the transport scheme is nearing completion.
Why it matters
Healy-Rae said the cost of building has gone up and construction costs rise every day, and that the recent jump in green diesel - up by over 80 cents and only marginally reduced - is exacerbating the situation for contractors and service providers.
Next steps and consequences
The Deputy urged a speedy review so contractors and farmers can be properly considered in the detailed development of support schemes. He signalled that further discussions with relevant ministers are expected to determine whether machinery can be included.
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Transcript
While many people got packages over the last week or so, people with machines involved in the construction industry, in the provision of services, whether it is pipelining for water, ESB, electricity, or telecom, or any of those things, a lot of green diesel is used by those contractors. They haven't been included, that I understand anyway, in any package. The cost of building is gone up and construction is going up every day, but this is exasperated now a lot further, and I'm asking you to consider seeing after those people that are involved in the services and in the building and construction industry because the rollers, diggers, cranes, every kind of machine is driven by green diesel, and that's gone up by over 80 cents, and it's only gone down, as I can understand, by 5 cents. A lot more needs to be done, Taoiseach. First of all, Deputy, I appreciate you raising the issue. Certain aspects of construction are covered by the schemes, but not machinery yet, but I'll ask the various ministers covering agriculture, covering transport, to have a look at it. But again, we've made progress on a number of fronts. We have to await the detailed development of the schemes in terms of contractors and farmers. The transport scheme is nearing completion, so I'll talk to the relevant ministers.