Over 400 hauliers, contractors and farmers gathered for an emergency meeting in Portlaoise this past weekend to take action on the rising fuel costs.

The meeting was organised by the Association of Farm Machinery Contractors in Ireland, and took place at the Midlands Park Hotel on Saturday, March 28. 

A formal committee was established in the face of the current fuel crisis, intending to campaign for the protection of the haulage, farming and contracting sector.

Speakers shared the effects that the fuel crisis has had on their work, arguing that they feel unheard by the Government in their struggles. Farmers argued that the fuel crisis see costs rocket this silage season.

Midlands MEP Ciarán Mullooly was in attendance of the meeting, and argued that the Government must take action and scrap the excise duty on green diesel. He said that the Government must mirror the way France handled the fuel crisis, and introduce targeted fuel supports for hauliers.

The committee hope to engage further with the Government on these matters, arguing that the measures implemented by the Government last week were not targeted enough.

Excise duty was cut by the Government last week. An increased diesel rebate scheme was also announced, which is expected to be backdated to the first of January.

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Attendees of Saturday’s emergency meeting discussed the possibility of staging blockades along the M50, from Dublin airport onwards.

The committee is expected form a list of suggestions and demands to Government in hopes to protect their sectors.