On the last sitting day here before Easter, I raised the very serious difficulties confronting farmers and agri-contractors due to the enormous increase in the price of green diesel at that time. I also referred to the increase in farm input costs, such as fertiliser. Combined with those additional costs has been the reduction for some time in the prices paid to farmers for farm products, namely commodity prices. Following the Government announcement of a scheme to help offset some of those costs. It is essential that the details be announced at an early date. The scheme needs to be as straightforward as possible and not tied up in paperwork. There also needs to be some flexibility on timelines. Farmers and contractors need those payments issued as quickly as possible. For many of those hard-working people there are real cash-flow problems at present and the Department has to act with the utmost urgency to ensure these essential payments issue to eligible applicants as quickly as possible.

I appreciate that the Deputy raised this issue of the impact of the war and increased fuel prices on farmers and agri-contractors more generally. I welcome the people of Fermoy, who are right in agricultural country as well. The need for a detailed package to be announced quickly is accepted. My understanding is that within the next week or so a package will be outlined by the Department of agriculture in respect of farming and contractors. Then we may have to look at the construction sector. Some will be covered by the haulier and transport provisions but others may be outside. We will see if we can close that gap.