Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, others and I met a group of farm contractors who arrived in Leinster House to outline in stark detail the serious concerns they have about the future of their businesses. They have a number of issues, one of which the price of fuel. Again, to give a stark example to illustrate the huge increase that has taken place in diesel prices in the past couple of years, back in 2020, a litre of diesel cost 54 cent. Last year, the price of that litre of diesel increased to 75 cent. As of yesterday, a litre of diesel now costs €1.35, which is a serious increase. These contractors are very fearful that their work will grind to a halt and their machinery will not leave their yards this spring.

Farm and forestry contractors employ close to 80,000 people and operate on farms the length and breadth of this country. They are an unrecognised power group that have helped to drive Irish farming and food industry. Without them, our farm families would simply not continue to exist. This issue is not just simply about farm contractors; it is about much more than that. It is about the future of farm families, the future of rural Ireland, winter food shortages, the reduction in the national herd, food exports and potential job losses.I ask the Leader to ask that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine come before this House in order that we can have a debate specifically on the future of farm contractors and the dangers associated with their not being able to do the work they do.