Westmeath agri-contractor leads the way in fuel cost protest

The irony of the increased fuel consumption experienced by motorists as diversions around Dublin city centre force cars on alternate routes to avoid the protest of tractors, lorries and coaches moving in slow convoys across the capital is not lost on many.

The actions of the protestors have come under criticism from Taoiseach Micheál Martin who described them as “wrong”. The protestors feel they have no other option as the escalating costs have endangered livelihoods.

Among those on the streets of Dublin is James Geoghegan, who runs a contracting business harvesting 2,000 acres of heavy grass each year. James also operates a company called Agri Knives, importing wearing parts for forage wagons and balers, but this week his knives are out for a different reason.

Traffic in Dublin city centre is at a standstill today as the fuel protest continues for a second day. Multiple tractors and lorries block O'Connell Street.

James is at the heart of the protest calling for a cap on kerosene and the abandonment of the May increase in the carbon tax.

The sudden conflict in the Middle East will have a devastating impact on the agri contractors business: “We weren't expecting it. It's not something you can plan. It's destroying cash flow,” he told the Examiner.

Hauliers, farmers and contractors protesting against the cost of fuel are disrupting traffic movement right across the country in an effort to highlight their plight.

Government actions thus far has failed to create any optimism for business watching as the opportunity to make money evaporates like the vapour from a petrol can.

“Cash flow is a huge issue,” James said. “We do get credit from our oil company up to a certain limit. For example during the silage season, maybe up to about €20,000.

"When diesel was 80c to 90c a litre, that was a lot of diesel, but not so much when diesel is at 1.70c, or 1.80c a litre. We're using up on about 2,000 litres a day there during silage. It's just a scary figure.”

This was not a flippant decision to take the tractors to the capital: “In our business, we give credit. We don't have a choice because farmers generally don't have money to pay when you're doing the silage, so they pay in the autumn when they sell stock or get subsidies. We're not fit to bankroll it this year. That's a major problem.”

The ripples in the pond caused by bombs dropped in Iran ebb in agri-machinery lots across the world: “I'm hearing from other contractors here that there's a lot of new machines left sitting in the dealers' yards now. Contractors are changing their mind about purchasing machines or doing the trade-ins. If you're taking €50,000, €70,000, €80,000, €100,000 out of somebody's account because of the fuel, well, then you're not going to have the money for the payments.”

The hauliers and farm contractors are making the protest for their clients as much as for themselves: “I have one man and his bill this year is going up €15,000,” James outlines, “he pays me so much a month out of his big cheque. But that extra €15,000, when can he give that to me?”

The blockages of the transport arteries of the capital have got a lot of attention, but James is not sure if they will make a difference: “Micheál Martin has come out with a statement this morning that he doesn't meet unofficial groups. Such an insulting statement to make.

“We have lorry men here who are not in the haulage association. We have contractors here who are not in the contract association. We have farmers here who are not in the IFA. We have bus people here who have no organisation. We have healthcare workers or home care help people here who have no organisation. We have a tour bus company here who said they have nobody representing them.

The action taken has emphasised the magnitude of the issue facing those who rely on fuel prices for their living: “We have made a huge protest around the country. This protest took place in 28 towns that I know of yesterday.

“Lads got together yesterday to start other protests. A few of them have popped up. So we've probably got well over 30 to 40 towns now at this stage. Which is an unbelievable achievement for without an organisation to officially organise a protest. To get out thousands upon thousands of people to protest yesterday was an amazing achievement by the people of Ireland. People who just feel totally ignored by the government,” James said.

A statement from An Garda Síochána says they have been engaging with, and continues to engage with, those involved in the fuel protests around the country, and are seeking to work with them to mitigate the negative impact these protests are having on the lives of their communities.

“Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety,” the spokesperson said, concluding with, “An Garda Síochána will continue to provide updates, where possible, to the public, through our social media channels.”