Letterkenny Councillor Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly has warned that the country could ‘come to a standstill’ if urgent supports are not offered to companies worst-hit by high fuel prices.
Transport companies, haulage companies and agricultural contractors are struggling to run their businesses, Cllr Kelly said.
Cllr Kelly has put forward a motion to the council this month, asking the local authority to write to Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan requesting that a commitment be made to implement a tax relief on fuel for this year ending 2022 as a matter of urgency for all transport companies, haulage companies and agricultural contractors.
Cllr Kelly told Donegal Daily: “We are all fully aware of the recent hike in fuel prices. We see how much the price of building materials has risen in the last number of months it’s crazy.
“In the Agricultural sector we see feedstuff rising every week. Fertilizer has trebled in price and this is having a major impact on farmers and now coming into this time of year agricultural contractors rely on fuel more than ever and this is, unfortunately, is going to have a major financial impact on farmers to no fault of the contractors it’s just not feasible.
“Also transport companies that have done Trojan work for years taking our kids to and from school are struggling in some cases to run their businesses.
“Haulage companies are struggling and I believe that this is all down to the major hike in fuel prices.
“These are all the backbone of the country and I believe if something is not done this country could come to a standstill.
“So I’m calling on or Minister for Transport and our Government to act now and implement a tax relief for this year as a matter of urgency as I believe that all sectors and the general public will benefit from this once implemented.”
