Mattie McGrath criticises fuel cuts, warns of tractor protests
Mattie McGrath spoke on 9 March 2022 about rising fuel and home heating costs, calling the government's measures an insult to the public and accusing ministers of prioritising Europe and "globalists" over Ireland. He criticised proposed reductions on petrol and diesel, highlighted the sharp rise in green diesel, and warned of farmer action that could disrupt supplies.
Main criticism of fuel measures
The deputy said the package — 20 cent off diesel and petrol, 15 cent off road diesel, and a small reduction for green diesel — was inadequate and insulting to people, with no relief for home heating included that night.
Warning of farmer protests and supply disruption
He warned that farmers could react by leaving tractors in fields, not ploughing, sowing or reaping, and by blocking roads, which would prevent food deliveries and cause wider supply problems.
Accusations about Europe and globalists
The deputy accused the government of being more beholden to Europe and "globalists" than to serving the Irish people, saying other countries such as Poland, Sweden and Denmark could cut prices further, while Ireland could not because of European constraints.
Response on exports and free trade
A minister interjected, noting that beef, milk, pharmaceuticals and technology produced in Tipperary are exported across the EU and the world and depend on a free-trade global environment, arguing that the export context is a key consideration.
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What's it going to take to get you and your government to act, to help our people, from our elderly to our children, and the party effort they're talking about now, 20 cent on diesel, 20 on petrol, 15 on road diesel, and two, an insult on green diesel, which has more than doubled in the last year, and nothing for the home heat tonight. This is an insult to the people that we're supposed to represent. You're more beholding to Europe and the globalists than you are to serving the people of Ireland, and that's quite evident that you won't act. You've quoted European laws, you've quoted for that and everything else. How come other countries like Poland and Sweden and Denmark can bring down the ice to 2018 prices? We can't do anything, because there's high masters in Europe. You must adore them and honour the globalists. That's what's wrong. You're in the pocket of the globalists and to head with the people. Do you want the road holidays to pull in the sides of the roads and no food delivered or anything else? The tractors will be packed in the fields, not ploughed, not sowing and not reaping. That's what's going to happen. And you're staring you in the face and you won't look at it. And you won't see it. Get out and meet the people and see what's going on. I'm going to take my T-shirt, please. Deputy McGrath, the beef that's produced in Tipperary, the milk that's produced in Tipperary, the pharmaceuticals that's produced in Tipperary, the technology that's produced in Tipperary and manufactured, all of that is exported to every member state of the European Union and is exported all over the world. It depends on a free trade global environment. You should know that. And the same within the European Union. And that is the bottom line. And I think most people, with a bit of common sense, know that too. And less of the kind of the residents want. Deputy, please. Deputy, please. Deputy, please. Deputy, please. Thank you.
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