Mullooly says contractors threaten day of action on M50 over green diesel costs

Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has called on the government to take immediate emergency action, like France has done, on fuel costs, warning that Ireland is now facing a full-scale rural economic crisis as hauliers, contractors and farmers unite over soaring diesel prices.

Speaking following a meeting of more than 400 contractors and hauliers in Portlaoise on Saturday, Mr Mullooly said the situation has escalated far beyond a sectoral issue and now poses a direct threat to food production, supply chains and the wider economy.

“From trucks to tractors, every link in the chain is now under pressure,” he said. “This is no longer just a haulage issue – it is a farming issue, a food price issue and a national economic issue.”

Speaker after speaker at the meeting, organised by the Association of Farm Machinery Contractors in Ireland, outlined the financial pressure on businesses already struggling to stay afloat, said Mr Mullooly in a statement. The message from the floor was that without urgent intervention, many operators will not survive, he added.

The meeting marked the first opportunity for all parts of the transport and contracting sectors to come together in one room to confront the scale of the emergency and to begin organising a unified response.

Mr Mullooly said frustration among contractors and hauliers is reaching breaking point, and many are calling for road blockades, including at Dublin Airport and on the M50. “People are not talking about protest for the sake of it – they are talking about survival, If action is not taken, this will escalate.”

A unanimous decision was taken to formally establish a committee to engage directly with government as a matter of urgency. That committee will now seek immediate meetings with ministers to present demands aimed at protecting jobs, businesses and the future of the sector.

Mr Mullooly’s statement said there was deep anger and mounting frustration throughout the meeting at what was described as the government’s weak, inadequate and out-of-touch response to the crisis. Those in attendance made it clear that token gestures are no longer enough. What is needed now is real action, real supports and real political leadership.

Mr Mullooly said one step that can and must be taken is scrapping excise duty on green diesel.

“France acted within hours and broke no EU rules. They have already moved to suspend excise duties on green diesel and introduce targeted fuel supports for operators. Ireland can do the same next week,” he said. “The EU is not the barrier here; political will is.”

Mr Mullooly also highlighted a fundamental inequality in how different groups are treated despite facing the same costs. “Everyone is paying the same price at the pump, but self-employed contractors are being treated differently. You have people doing the same work, using the same fuel, but not receiving the same supports. That cannot continue.”

“From trucks to tractors, every link in the chain is now under pressure. If this is not addressed immediately, it will feed directly into farming costs, food prices and the wider economy.”

Mr Mullooly said the situation now requires urgent government intervention and a clear demonstration that those keeping the economy moving will be supported.

“The question now is simple – will the government act, or will they allow this crisis to escalate further?”