Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have been monitoring the situation closely, in particular the challenges facing the farming community. That is why I came forward with the tillage scheme, providing €400 per hectare for each additional hectare of cereal that is grown this year. It is also why I have come forward with the €1,000 payment to farmers to help with the cost of making silage. One of the key costs involved, alongside fertiliser, is contractor costs, which are obviously increased because of the current challenges. That should certainly help farmers and contractors with those bills, although it will not cover them all.

In regard to the removal of excise on green diesel, there is no more room to change that as we have now removed it all. The first 2 cent move reduced the take of the national Exchequer by 40%, which is small in regard to what it means for farmers but it was 40% of the total. We then proceeded to remove it all so there is now no excise duty on green diesel for the foreseeable future as a step to supporting the sector.

We are conscious of the pressures. We are working closely with the sector and will continue to monitor this issue.

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