Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is abandoning farmers, fishermen, agricultural contractors, older people and disabled people tonight. Yes, I will vote for what he is proposing, but I do not agree with it because to offer people 2 cent off the price of agricultural diesel is an insult. At the same time, it has to be supported because it is a step in the right direction, although only a baby step. I remind the Minister that he was not very nice here in the recent past when we suggested to him that this is a measure he should take. He was very condescending but now he realises we were right. He recognises that because he is doing it, but he is not doing enough. He is leaving many people behind.

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 2 cent. I wish to declare that for the last more than 30 years I have been a holder of valid high-carbon licences so I know what I am talking about. I have been doing it for a long time. The Minister is leaving an awful lot of people behind tonight and hurting them. People up and down the country are saying that if one of the three people in charge of this Government thinks that the right thing to do is slow down and that will sort everything out, it is no wonder we are in the state we are in.

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