Fitzmaurice calls for Dáil recall as fuel crisis deepens

Fitzmaurice calls for Dáil recall as fuel crisis deepens and green diesel hits €1.70 per litre and petrol and diesel prices are rising back towards pre-excise cut levels.

Independent Ireland Agriculture Spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice has called for the immediate recall of the Dáil, warning that the escalating fuel crisis is now having a direct and severe impact on farming, housing, the cost of living and the wider economy.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said the situation has worsened significantly in recent days, with green diesel now reaching €1.70 per litre, and petrol and diesel head back towards costs seen before excise cuts placing unsustainable pressure on householders and key sectors.

“Ten days ago I outlined the key issues we would face if the Government did not act. We are now seeing that crisis escalate in real time. We must act urgently. That is why the Dáil must be recalled immediately. he said"

"90 Day Reserves - Clarity must be provided"
"We also must have clarification on what reserves we have in place - We have always been told that we have 3 months emergency supply, if you listen to some ministers, it would make you wonder if in fact we do - If we don't have 90 days supply in reserve why are we paying NORA for the last number of decades? We must have urgent clarity on that issue"

‘Every sector now under pressure’
Deputy Fitzmaurice warned that rising green diesel costs are impacting every stage of housing delivery and agricultural production.

“Every digger, every dumper, every machine on a building site is running on green diesel. At current prices, that is adding significant daily costs that will ultimately be passed on to homebuyers,” he said.

“You cannot build houses, roads, or infrastructure without this fuel. If costs continue to rise unchecked, the housing crisis will worsen.”

He reiterated that machinery across construction and quarrying is heavily dependent on green diesel, warning again that continued inaction will “cripple housing delivery”.

Impact on farming and food production
Deputy Fitzmaurice also highlighted the serious implications for agriculture, particularly as the silage season approaches.

“A silage harvester can take up to 1,000 litres to fill. At current prices, that is an additional €700 per fill, often twice in a single day,” he said.

“There is no support to offset this. Farmers and contractors simply cannot absorb these costs.”

Carbon tax "must be eliminated"
Deputy Fitzmaurice criticised what he described as the Government’s refusal to address carbon tax, despite its direct impact on fuel costs.

“Green diesel has risen dramatically, yet the response has been minimal. The reality is that carbon tax is adding to these costs, and it must now be eliminated as one of measures enacted to reduce the current hardship being faced across the board” he said.

Collins: Rural Ireland cannot be ignored
Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins also criticised recent commentary suggesting people should switch to public transport - when the infrastructure is simply not in place in many parts of rural Ireland.

“Ministers are telling people to walk, cycle, or use public transport, I even heard reference to carpooling - harking back to the days of Eamonn Ryan, and while some of these ideas might work in cities where those options exist, how are people in rural Ireland supposed to walk to work? What happens in areas where there are no bus links or services? That is the reality for many thousands of people.”

Deputy Collins said that where public transport is available, more support should be provided, pointing to other jurisdictions where free public transport is being provided to help people to get to and from work.

“Where services do exist, we should be looking at reducing costs and supporting people to use them. But for many rural communities, those options simply are not there.”

Call for immediate action
Deputy Fitzmaurice said the current situation requires urgent political intervention.

“The crisis is escalating. Costs are rising daily, and the impact is being felt across housing, agriculture, haulage and the wider economy,” he said.

“We cannot wait. The Dáil must be recalled and we must see action on fuel costs and carbon tax — before further damage is done.”

He warned that failure to act will have lasting consequences.

“If this continues, it will drive up the cost of living, increase food prices, and further delay housing delivery. The Government has the power to act — it must do so now.”

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