THE Government, including their local TDs and Senators, have been asked to ‘change tack’ as regards the imposition of what have been described as ‘crippling’ excise increases on diesel and petrol.

IFA representatives said that farm families were under financial pressure without having to face into a winter where petrol and diesel prices were approaching the €2 per litre mark once again.

With diesel and petrol prices now hovering around the €1.80 per litre mark – now approaching the price peaks which followed on the start of the Russian war in Ukraine – the IFA have called to on the Government to call a halt to any further returns of the old excise rates.

When fuel prices rocketed in 2022, the Government put in place what they described at the time as a number of temporary measures which reduced excise duties on petrol and diesel products.

This week, IFA Farm Business Chair, Rose Mary McDonagh, said that farm families were once again facing into another autumn and winter of ever-increasing fuel costs.

“Fertiliser prices are high; feedstuffs are very expensive; grain, milk and livestock prices have dipped, and now on top of all that the Government are just piling back on those excise duties.

“In rural Ireland, farm families need their jeeps and car both for farm and domestic duties. Their vehicles aren’t a luxury – they’re an absolute essential in terms of moving livestock, getting their children to school, or meeting medical appointments,” said Rose Mary McDonagh.

She said that almost every week since midsummer the prices of petrol and diesel had steadily increased and while there were international factors which Ireland had no control over, they had the power to call a halt to the return of the older rates of excise duties.

Pictured: IFA Farm Business Chair, Rose Mary McDonagh