*Protestors create a backlog along the N85 at Clareabbey. Photograph: Joe Buckley
A KILKEE farmer has said hikes in the price of fuel are the latest part of the cost of living crisis experienced by families across the country.
Hundreds of vehicles partook in a fuel crisis protest in Clare on Tuesday from early in the morning until evening time. Their objective in blocking up the roads of the county and across the country was to highlight the rising prices on fuel, oil, fertiliser and kerosene are not sustainable for the Irish public.
Dairy and beef farmer, Kevin Hassett was among the protestors to depart the Banner Plaza on Tuesday morning. A candidate for Independent Ireland in the 2024 General and Local Elections, he was critical of measures introduced by the Government since the outbreak of war in the Middle East, most notably the decision to cut the excise duty on fuel.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Kevin stated, “We’re looking at a cost of living crisis overall, the fuel is just one part of it. Everyone is affected, what the Government did for us is more or less an insult, €250m for the whole entire country is ridiculous. Farming is tough enough as it is between the weather and the price of finished cattle are back anywhere between €300 and €400, the price of milk is down”.
He added, “The biggest affect we’re going to see is inflation is going to rocket and credit will tighten up, the two biggest things we need in the economy is cheap credit and cheap fuel, if you haven’t got either you are looking at a massive downturn. We see interest rates will increase if inflation goes up, that will be the big killer which will drive the economy down”.
Hassett also hit out on the money spent by Government on foreign aid, assisting Ukrainians and asylum seekers.
On the impact of the fuel crisis to farming in West Clare, the Kilkee man commented, “Farming in West Clare is under pressure anyway, we just haven’t got the youth staying around”.
