Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister is aware of the correspondence we all received yesterday from the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland, FCI. It outlined that the knock-on impact of the recent weather is that less than one third of the normal spring work has been completed. Against this background, the FCI is requesting that the Minister postpone the planned introduction of the next round of carbon tax increase on agricultural diesel until 1 October, when there will be some cash flow returned to the sector. The FCI also notes that cash flow restrictions will also impact on the fuel suppliers to the agricultural contractor sector. The concern among FCI members is that the credit terms to the sector will now be reduced. We can see from this and from other engagements with organisations like the IFA, the ICMSA and others that the tillage sector in particular is going through a nightmare of a time and needs urgent assistance. I welcome indications that supports will be rolled out, but this really requires a cross-departmental approach in line with what the FCI has called for, which I hope will be considered. There is no time to wait. Action from Government must be swift and it must be of sufficient scale that we do not allow our farmers or farm contractors to go under as they struggle to remain viable.

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