The Government has signed off on over €500 million in measures to support those struggling with rising energy costs.
There will also be direct payments to hauliers, bus operators, farmers, agricultural contractors and those involved in fisheries.
This evening’s announcement will see a further 10c cut in excise on both petrol and diesel to the end of July.
The new package was announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and junior transport minister Sean Canney following a week of protests which say major routes and fuel depots blockaded.
The Taoiseach has confirmed a cut in excise duty extended to t; a 10 reduction in the coast of petrol and diesel and a 2.4 cent cut on green diesel from midnight on Tuesday.
The total value of the package announced is around €505 million, and follows €250 million worth of measures announced three weeks ago.
The Transport Support Schemes will be enhanced for all haulage operators which will include local link and school transport providers and some commercial operators.
A fuel subsidy for farming and fisheries will also be included.
The Taoiseach reiterated previous comments stating that ‘nobody had the right’ to block ports and fuel depots and that this had been undertaken by a group which he said, a “self-declared mandate”.
Meanwhile, a fuel tanker that had been anchored off the Clare coast has finally dock in Galway Port. The Thun Gemini, carrying an estimated 6 million litres of fuel, was unable to offload its cargo in Galway as the massive fuel tanks there were full.
Macra welcomes the €100m emergency package announced by the Government as a significant step in the right direction towards supporting young farmers and rural young people over the next five months.
Macra had been calling for the development of a crisis response scheme and following direct engagement with the Minister for Agriculture over the weekend, during which the organisation highlighted the need for targeted support and concerns surrounding criteria of the proposals which may affect young farmer accessibility. The organisation welcomes the usage-based support scheme and the confirmation of consideration for new entrants in the development of the scheme.
While Macra recognises that the development of such a scheme will take time, President Josephine O’Neill highlighted that swift and efficient delivery will be critical “I welcome today’s announcement of the fuel support scheme which will provide critical support for our young farmers but remind the Government that time is of the essence in the development and delivery of this”.
The organisation had also called for the reduction of excise duty on agri-diesel, petrol and white diesel. “Our members have been struggling to make ends meet as a result of the ongoing crisis. Today’s announcement of a cut to excise duty on agri-diesel, petrol and white diesel will hopefully go a long way to relieving some of the pressures currently being faced”.
Ms O’Neill also welcomed the Government’s deferral of the planned Carbon Tax increase, scheduled for May 1st, another key ask of the organisation during negotiations. However, she called on the Department of Agriculture to continue negotiations in relation the requested pause on Carbon Tax and CBAM tax on fertilisers.
Chambers Ireland, the network that represents businesses across Ireland, has today welcomed the government’s interventions on fuel costs and urged protestors to end the disruption that has brought many parts of the country to a standstill over recent days.
The widespread travel delays and the obstruction of critical infrastructure by protestors have had a significant and damaging effect on businesses over recent days with deliveries, productivity and operations impacted. Logistics, manufacturing, retail and hospitality sectors have all faced mounting pressures as a result. Households have also faced challenges getting to and from work, accessing critical goods and services, and carrying out essential daily tasks. The disruption has compounded business and consumer concerns around fuel and escalating costs.
Acknowledging the action by Government, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, Ian Talbot, commented: “The concessions that have been made by Government today represent an important intervention to address the considerable concerns of many businesses and households surrounding rising costs and the impact of inflated fuel prices over recent weeks. However, the chaos that has ensued on our roads, around our fuel depots, and in our town and city centres over the last few days has impacted business continuity and knocked public confidence.
We are relieved that a compromise has been reached and that stability can hopefully be restored across the country. What we need now is for ongoing, constructive dialogue to continue.
Government have listened and taken action in response to the public’s concern about fuel prices but they can’t continue to shield the economy if global disruption continues. Reciprocal concessions must now be made by protestors with the calm and coordinated end of all national blockades. This must be the beginning of a longer-term, sustainable approach to ensuring energy affordability and addressing the rising cost of doing business. Our economic resilience depends on it.”
