A group of rural TDs are among those who expressed concerns over rising input costs.
A debate on financial resolution: excise came before Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022.
Michael Healy-Rae told the house that “the government will be remembered forever as the people who thought that the farmers, fishermen, agricultural contractors and people involved in that type of business were worth 2c”.
The deputy accused the government of abandoning farmers, fishermen and agricultural contractors as he reacted angrily to the government’s move to reduce excise on agricultural diesel by 2c/L.
He said, “to offer people 2c off the price of agricultural diesel is an insult”.
However, he believes simultaneously, “it has to be supported because it is a step in the right direction, although only a baby step”.
Input costs
Limerick’s Richard O’Donoghue told the house that in the haulage sector, diesel is up 100% in price.
He explained that the cost of parts for trucks is up 40% while labour is up 20%. The cost of tyres is up 30%, and the cost of upgrading a truck is up 20%. He told the Dáil that this total increase in cost amounts to 220%.
“For agricultural contractors and farmers, diesel is up 100%, feed is up 50%, fertiliser is up 200%, tyres are up 30%, and the price of cutting an acre of silage is now up €50.”
“The cost of labour is up 20%. The cost of running a house at present for people to feed their families, put fuel in their cars and put oil in their houses is up 130%. The government is increasing the tax in this country by 110%.”
“The only one making a profit in this country is the minister. The minister is up 120%,” he told the house.
€1 in tax
Meanwhile, Cork South-West Independent TD, Michael Collins, said he “never felt so ashamed for the public” as when he heard yesterday’s announcements of a “paltry decrease” of just 15c/L and 20c/L for fuel.
He told the house that the decreases “were swallowed up overnight in most of the filling stations”.
“For every €2 of petrol, the Government grabs €1 in tax. It is almost the same with diesel. For every €2 of fuel, the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party government grabs 98 cent in tax,” he claimed.
He said the Rural Independent Group has pleaded with the Dáil for months about the crucifying taxes on fuel.
Furthermore, Collins stressed that contractors, farmers, hauliers and bus operators are facing a “huge” crisis.
Also, this led him to ask if the government would inflict the next carbon tax increase on the Irish people.
If it does, he believes it will be a wipeout for many if it is not wipeout already. “Stop blaming the war,” he stressed.
Work held up
Lastly, Danny Healy-Rae said that the minister must realise that millions of euros worth of work is being held up.
He said that “hundreds” of jobs are being put on hold by the hour. Healy-Rae explained that people “will not enter into contracts due to what is happening”.
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