Government insists that it won’t be held ‘to ransom’ by fuel protesters
Fuel protesters will face "consequences" for any illegal blockades of main ports after reports that animal feed and milk deliveries have been prevented, the government has said, writes Muiris Ó Cearbhaill.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, and de-facto leader of the Independents Seán Canney have accused protesters of attempting to hold the government to "ransom".
An Garda Síochána and Dublin Fire Brigade made direct appeals to ensure the free passage of emergency services after their units were delayed in responses to incidents yesterday.
Hundreds of trucks stalled traffic nationwide and blocked access to fuel depots for deliveries in the second day of ongoing protests demanding the government take action to reduce fuel costs.
While acknowledging the "huge pressures" over the rising cost of fuel, Martin said the government would not give in to the protesters’ demands. He said they were "wrong" and added: "It is unacceptable that we would have motorways blocked, that we would have main arteries of the country blocked, particularly when government have engaged in negotiations with the nationally, properly constituted representative organisation."
Considerable concerns were raised in government last night over reports that some protesters threatened to block trade passages, such as ports and airports, overnight.
Fine Gael government sources questioned the response by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and An Garda Síochána, after protesters moved their lorries onto O’Connell Bridge in Dublin city centre.
After meeting with Garda management, O’Callaghan said: "No one is above the law and those breaking the law should know that there are consequences for unlawful activity."
One Fine Gael minister said their opinion depended on whether protesters would be prevented from blocking ports and trade routes overnight. "I’d be happy with his statement once that turns into action," they said.
Another said: "Where is Jim? And where is [Garda] Commissioner Justin Kelly?"
Emergency services reported disruptions to their response times due to blockades around Dublin city centre yesterday. Gardaí said they have no role in authorising protests but that they must "balance and protect" the rights of people and businesses to travel freely.
Gardaí added that they have received reports of emergency workers not being able to get to work, attend hospital appointments or visit sick loved ones.
They said: "An Garda Síochána has asked and asks again for protesters to engage with gardaí locally to facilitate public transport and other traffic."
In a public appeal, Dublin Fire Brigade also urged protesters to allow blue-lighted vehicles access to public roads to prevent harm to other citizens.
A senior government source said it was "ironic" that the protesters began blocking fuel and agricultural deliveries yesterday as many in the group are demanding fuel cost reductions for that industry.
"They’re starting to hurt their own now… This is all going to affect farmers," one source said. Oil prices rocketed after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February, prompting the Tehran regime to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies.
US president Donald Trump and Iran’s leadership secured a two-week ceasefire deal on Tuesday night, in which Tehran agreed to reopen the Strait and charge a toll on trawlers. While the international oil markets responded positively to the breakthrough, the implications of the Strait’s closure may continue into the coming weeks.
Martin said he believed the actions by demonstrators were the "wrong form of protest" and ruled out meeting with the organisers.
He added: "No one can just park a truck on O’Connell Street or in any other street and just leave it there. We have traffic laws. We have a variety of laws and fines that attach to that."
Organisers intend to continue their protest today in counties Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Sligo, Donegal, Clare, Limerick, Cork and in towns Portlaoise, Tullamore, Portumna, Banagher and Athlone, among others.
Go-slow protests continued along main roads yesterday including on both sides of the M7, the N22 in Macroom, Co. Cork, at the Banner plaza in Ennis, Co. Clare on the M18, and during rush hour along the M50 in Dublin.
Speaking about the protests, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: "This is not in our national interest. It’s not in our economic interest. It’s not in the interest of social cohesion."
None of the protests is directly linked to any official representative bodies, a reason the government has refused to meet with the organisers. Meetings are ongoing between official groups and ministers, with more set to take place today and tomorrow.
Junior transport minister Seán Canney said: "It is important to say what the purpose of doing this is. It’s a ransom."
The Taoiseach said the government will not operate "on any other basis" other than to engage with official lobby groups and trade unions.
It is understood that a split between the official representative groups and demonstrators took place in the past week over the lack of progress in talks with Cabinet ministers.
Paul Murphy TD at the National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices where vehicles are parked on O'Connell Street, Dublin. (Pic: Tom Honan)
A €250m package was agreed last month by the Dáil to cut the cost of fuel, but the reductions have largely been eroded by oil prices continuing to rise in recent weeks.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said blockages at the ports were preventing the delivery of animal feed, which he claimed would have "serious potential implications for pig and poultry farmers."
Photo: Trevor Jackson from Wicklow and Michael McComiskey from Enniscorthy at the National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices where vehicles are parked on O'Connell Street, Dublin. (Pic: Tom Honan)
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