'Fuel crisis': Longford IFA chair says Government measures still have a 'good way to go'

​The Government measures to support farmers dealing with the fuel crisis is an improvement 'but they still have a good way to go', according to Longford IFA County Chair John Sheridan.

​The Ballinalee man said the IFA sent in proposals and suggested supports they were looking for more than 10 days before the Government announced their suite of measures worth €505 million.

The Government announced what they described as a 'comprehensive' €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme on Sunday to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing 'unprecedented increases' in fuel costs.

The support payments will cover the March 1 to July 31 period and the scheme will provide 20 million per month in supports with funding directly linked to fuel usage in 2025.

READ NEXT: Longford farmers push for fairer prices and stronger supports

Farmers and agricultural contractors will benefit from a support rate equivalent to around 20c per litre of marked gas oil, more commonly known as green diesel, which has soared in price from €0.97 per litre in late February to €1.80 per litre in recent weeks.

In order to apply applicants will need to demonstrate active farming or contracting status, tax compliance and verifiable fuel usage to be eligible.

Mr Sheridan stated 'there are many different things' and details to digest, but he acknowledged it was a start and a step in the right direction.

"The IFA acknowledges the work involved, we put in a lot of work in to this so we did and we sent that (our proposals) in to them over a week and a half ago."

Other measures announced by the Government include extending a previously announced reduction in excise duty on petrol, diesel and green diesel from the end of May to the end of July, and further reducing minimum oil taxes by 10c per lire on petrol, 10c per litre on diesel, and 2.4c per litre on green diesel.

READ NEXT: 'Deeply alarming' as chronic staffing shortages exposed in Longford primary care services

The measures took effect from midnight on Tuesday after being approved in the Dail and excise has now been reduced by a total of 32c on diesel, 27c on petrol, and 7.4c on green diesel.

Asked if the new measures had been an adequate response, Mr Sheridan replied, "It went some way, there were a lot more things that we were looking for as well."

"We were looking for a fodder scheme, because of the weather and the way it's gone and everything.

"There are men running out of fodder now at the minute."

Speaking on Monday night, Mr Sheridan said the measures are 'going someway' but they need more information.

"Our lads are going back to the government again, because all these things have to be sorted out, how we're going to be paid and when it's going to be paid.

"There's still a good way to go. You know, it could have been sorted out a long time ago if the Government had just sat down with us before now.

"Look, 10 days ago, it could have been sorted out, but they let it go, and we saw what happened then after that."

Mr Sheridan said while the IFA were not involved in the fuel price protests they may have worked in their favour.

He described the first Government support measures announced in March as being a ‘scandal’.

The protests, which including blockades of the country's only oil refinery and other key depots – halted fuel distribution across the country and prompted an escalated Garda response that resulted in several arrests amid clashes between public order units and protesters.

Participants – largely led by hauliers, farmers, and agricultural workers – began distinct but co-ordinated action on Tuesday, April 7 with slow-moving convoys and outright stoppages on major motorways, as well as blockades of critical infrastructure which had largely wound down or disbanded by Gardaí by midday on Sunday.

"I think that it worked in our favour, first of all, dealing with the government, but it wasn't [us], it was the people that came out to protest, and it's the people that the government has to listen to."

Asked if the IFA would sympathise with the hauliers and farmers who protested, Mr Sheridan said, "We would, of course, yeah.

"Do you know, it goes back to, it goes back to the government not negotiating with us."

Longford TD Micheál Carrigy said he believes Government needs to be ready to intervene again in relation to the fuel crisis and any measures should be monitored and revisited if necessary.

The Fine Gael TD said he was initially disappointed by the €250 million of Government last month when he believed a 'more significant package' could have been in place.

"I would have highlighted that with Minister Martin Heydon who was engaging with the farm organisations in relation to it.

"We've seen a suite of measures has been put in place at present.

"But, unfortunately, with the volatility of the oil market at present, it's still an extremely significant gap compared to what the price was previously.

"My view would be that we need to monitor the situation and be able to come back if necessary with a further package to support people.

"We did it through the cost of living previously and through Covid and we need to react to protect businesses and protect people.”