Local Fine Gael Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, has welcomed €18 million emergency support announced by his colleague Hildegarde Naughton in response to the rising fuel costs which are having disastrous effects for the community he says, in particular the haulage sector.
“I welcome this weekly payment of €100 for every heavy goods lorry. I understand the scheme will run for at least eight weeks, and potentially for longer.
“The cost of fuel is having negative effects on our entire community, with many constituents raising their struggles with me in my clinic and by phone and email. The 20c reduction from Government was welcome, but it’s clear it has not made a significant dent on families increased costs.
“More than any other sector, hauliers are under huge strain due to their reliance on diesel to carry out their work, and this very practical measure will assist them. While €100 is modest compared to the scale of rising costs, it represents a positive intervention in the market.
“We rely on our lorry drivers for our supply chain and for sourcing our food and goods, and we must support them to carry out this vitally important role. If fuel costs continue to rise at current rates, more action will have to be taken by Government to try and tackle the escalating costs, which are at play internationally.
“It’s important also to recognise the work of hauliers, many of whom are private operators and shoulder the burden of costs directly. Without them, we would not have the food which stocks our supermarkets and feeds our families and between Brexit, Covid 19 and now escalating issues in Ukraine and with diesel costs, it is clear that further support is needed,” Deputy Burke asserted.
