Main Points
- National demonstrations against high fuel prices continued to cause widespread disruption on roads and motorways as well as public transport links, including Luas and Dublin Bus
- The action is expected to continue through the night and into Thursday morning
- Protesters blocked the entrance to the State’s only oil refinery in Co Cork as well as other fuel depots in counties Galway and Limerick
- The Government will ‘continue to engage’ with industry representative groups on the impact of the ongoing war on the cost of fuel
- Protesters continue to block O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge in Dublin city centre after the demonstrations earlier closed off parts of the M50, M7, M11, N18, M8 and N28 routes
Best Reads
- Have your say: How have you been affected by the fuel protests?
- ‘I can’t afford to spend the whole day in traffic’: Commuters hit with gridlock
- Who are the fuel protesters ‘turning O’Connell Street into a car park’?
That’s all for today’s live coverage of the fuel protests. You can stay updated on the site or app for further developments.
‘Unlawful activity carries consequences under the law’: O’Brien condemns oil refinery blockade
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has also condemned the blockades at the Whitegate oil refinery in Cork and oil depots in Galway and Limerick, saying access to fuel is “essential for our citizens and businesses”.
O’Brien added that decision-making cannot be dictated by an unelected group, particularly when their actions “threaten livelihoods”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the Minister said there is “no underlying fuel shortage”, adding: “This disruption is being caused by a small group of protesters”.
“The Government is listening and understands the real challenges people are facing.
“Rising fuel costs are placing significant pressure on households and businesses alike,” he said.
O’Brien said he will continue to engage with “representative groups from affected sectors, such as the IRHA (Irish Road Haulage Association)”.
“However, in a democracy, decision-making cannot be dictated by an unelected group, particularly when their actions disrupt supply chains, threaten livelihoods, and interfere with essential services such as medical appointments.
“While the right to protest peacefully is fundamental, unlawful activity carries consequences under the law.”
‘Act of national sabotage’: Taoiseach condemns blockade of State’s only oil refinery
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned the blockade of the State’s only oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork, as an “act of national sabotage”, saying it will “directly impact the people of Ireland”.
“It makes absolutely no sense in the fuel crisis we are currently facing.
“It is beyond belief that people would seek to deny people around the country access to vital fuels. Businesses and people’s livelihoods depend on this fuel. It is an outrage,” he said in a statement on Wednesday night.
It is understood the Taoiseach has spoken to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan about the blockade.
‘This is not a lawless country’: Tánaiste describes blockades of fuel depots as ‘sinister’
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said the blocking of the distribution of fuel is a “sinister and despicable attack on our economy and our society”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, Harris said: “This is not a lawless country. The laws of the land must and will be applied without fear.
“At a time of a major global energy crisis, blocking fuel from getting to people who badly need it is appalling in every sense and inflicts damage on our country and on individual people and businesses. It cannot be tolerated.”
Responding to a blockade formed at the State’s only oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork, a spokeswoman for its operator, Irving Oil, said:
“We are focused on the safety of our people, our facility and our neighbours.
“With global energy supply dynamics continuing to face volatility, we are hopeful that these events do not further strain the supply of energy to our customers.”
‘Severe’ disruptions to Dublin Bus services ongoing
Dublin Bus is advising customers of “ongoing severe service disruptions and delays” across its network due to fuel price protests.
A number of services have been cancelled while almost 40 routes have changed terminus.
Diversions remain in place for several other routes. Details can be found here.
Luas Green Line services also continue to be disrupted.
‘This is now a public order policing issue’: Blockade formed at State’s only oil refinery
Oil deliveries from the Whitegate Refinery in Co Cork, the only refinery in the State, are now being blocked by fuel protesters who have already blocked fuel depots at Galway and Foynes, Co Limerick, Colm Keena reports.
“This is now a public order policing issue,” said Kevin McPartlan, chief executive of the fuels industry group, Fuels for Ireland.
McPartlan has called on the Government to act in relation to the blocking of the State’s key fuel depots.
He said there is a lot of talk on social media about trying to block Dublin port, the final of the four key sources of fuel for the State’s service stations.
Whitegate is the only refinery in the State processing crude oil for domestic consumption and is responsible for approximately one third of the fuel consumed, McPartlan said.
Many service stations require fuel deliveries every 24 hours and as the protests prevent deliveries in the different regions more outlets will run out of fuel, he said.
Galway was the first depot to be prevented from delivering fuel, and stations in the Galway region are now running out of petrol and diesel, he said.
‘Ongoing protest activity is having significant impact on traffic,’ says Gardaí
In a post on X, Gardaí have said “ongoing protest activity is having significant impact on traffic” at locations including:
- Dublin city centre
- M50 northbound in Dublin
- Cork
- M7/N18, Limerick
- N52, Tullamore
- N6, Athlone
- M8, Cashel
- M18, Ennis
- Sligo
- M7, Portlaoise
It also said “please plan your journey accordingly”.
Government will ‘continue to engage’ with industry representative groups
The Irish Government will “continue to engage” with industry representative groups on the impact of the ongoing war on the cost of fuel.
Following a meeting with the Irish Road Haulage Association, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State Sean Canney said Government figures would meet other representative groups and “keep the situation under review”.
The Government also said the price of oil on international markets had reduced since a ceasefire announcement on Tuesday night.
In a statement on X, Harris said “good meeting today with the Irish Road Haulage Association. Constructive discussion on the real pressures hauliers are facing with fuel costs.”
On Friday, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and Minister of State Timmy Dooley will meet national representative bodies of contractors and farming organisations.
Hospitals in Dublin city centre largely unaffected by disruptions
Hospitals located close to the protests in Dublin city centre have said they have been largely unaffected by the traffic disruption over the past two days, reports Health Correspondent Shauna Bowers.
The protest has, for the second day in a row, occupied O’Connell street and some of the surrounding areas, as it calls for Government intervention over rising fuel costs.
Seán Daly, master of the Rotunda hospital, said as of Wednesday afternoon it “hasn’t really affected us”.
“Everyone got into work this morning, but a lot of wraparounds people were using are now being blocked,” he said.
He urged women who were not in their first pregnancy to get to hospitals very early as “things can progress very quickly”.
“If they get delayed, it could potentially be a problem. But most women in their first labour, they should be able to manage ok.”
The Mater hospital reported a similar situation, stating services are being “maintained” as normal.
“The Mater Hospital can confirm that hospital services and patient appointments are continuing as normal. The hospital will continue to monitor traffic disruptions, however patients are advised to attend appointments as planned as patient flow and services are being maintained,” a spokesman said.
Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients’ Association said patients must not be used as “pawns” in the current transport protests.
McMahon said the protestors deserve a serious response “but Ireland’s patients and citizens cannot be the collateral damage of this dispute”.
“Every party at this table has a responsibility to ensure that our national resilience is protected, not dismantled. We do not protect Ireland by undermining it.”
Fuel protestors expect to remain in place through the night into Thursday morning
Another night in the cabs of their tractors is on the cards unless something changes late in the day, reports Hugh Dooley.
The expectation among those on O’Connell Street is that some of the tractors involved in actions on the M7 and M9 will join up with the protest in the city centre.
Farmers from other parts of the country, organisers explained, are hoping to return to the “car park” outside the GPO having returned to their work places today.
“We’ll be sleeping here again tonight,” one farmer said, hoping for “real, proper action” from the Government before they returned home for good.
M50 closed at Junction 5
In a post on X, M50 Dublin said that Gardaí have closed the M50 at Junction 5 Finglas Northbound.
It told drivers to plan an alternative route.
TII Traffic also posted on its X account that there is a full road closure at Finglas Northbound Lanes Junction 5 of the M50 and told drivers to expect delays.
Dublin Airport on X, also advised passengers travelling to and from Dublin Airport to allow extra time for their journey due to the current protest activity causing traffic disruption on the M50.
“Passengers due to travel via the M50 are advised to take alternative routes to the airport to avoid delays.”
What has happened with the fuel protests today?
All Swords Express services have been suspended due to access issues relating to the protest.
Taoiseach ‘open’ to prospect of nuclear power in Ireland
Separately at the press conference at Government Buildings Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is “open” to the prospect of nuclear power in Ireland but raised issues around cost and the length of time it would take to deliver, reports Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.
He was asked about the issue in the wake of a Business Post report that ministers have discussed the possibility of lifting the ban on nuclear power.
Martin said a “the fundamental position in terms of nuclear is cost” and that his “immediate focus is on offshore wind” where efforts are being made to remove any obstacles to delivery.
He said: “I’m open to all other forms of energy supply” but added: “Nuclear would take a long time as well. Let’s not pretend it would be something that would happen immediately.
“But nonetheless, we should be open to all forms, because this crisis illustrates the fragility and the vulnerabilities of relying overwhelmingly on imported fossil fuels.”
He said “Grid connection across Europe is very important and we have good connections with the United Kingdom” and said a planned electricity connection with France is “positive news”.
Martin said: “All of this takes time, but in the immediate short term, the offshore wind is a prospect within the next number of years and we should keep our focus to make sure we deliver on that.
“And I believe we can and I believe we will.”
The usually bustling Tara Street on the southside of the river Liffey in Dublin city remained empty on Wednesday afternoon on the second day of the National Fuel Protest.
‘People are in crisis now, so the Government needs to act,’ says People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy says fuel protests will inspire others to take action, and called on the Government to enact a cap on fuel prices, while making an appearance at the action on O’Connell Bridge, reports Hugh Dooley.
“The Government needs to act, we have a bill to cap fuel prices, which has been sitting there for more than two years at this stage. That needs to be implemented immediately.”
Echoing the demands of the protesters, Murphy called for a cap on fuel prices: “We need caps on fuel prices, €1.75 for petrol and diesel, €1 for green diesel, €1 for kerosene. We need to cut taxes to enable that to happen and then make sure that profiteering is not taking place.
“The Government has an absolutely massive surplus, and the surplus is supposedly for a time when people are in crisis. People are in crisis now, so the Government needs to act. They shouldn’t be sitting on their hands.”
He said the inaction is because “the Government fundamentally represents those who profit from these crises, not people who suffer from it.”
Murphy thinks the Government is “feeling the pressure” from the protest movement now, and criticised recent comments by the Taoiseach regarding the manner in which the protests have been carried out.
“People here don’t want to be causing disruption,” he continued, “but they feel that there is no choice. Any effective protest is going to cause some disruption.”
‘The sooner the conflict ends and the war ends, the better the prospects for everyone, on price and on long term supply,’ says Taoiseach
Ireland’s oil reserves are a “very significant insurance policy for the country” and they are “key to our energy supply resilience over the next year,” Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said, reports Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.
His remarks come after senior ministers were briefed on Ireland’s medium-term fuel supply on Wednesday.
Martin said Ireland has a 90-day supply but “obviously, if there was any curtailment in supplies, you wouldn’t be using up the 90 days all at once.
“We actually have good supply back up for certainly most of a year,” he added.
Despite the energy crisis brought on by the war in the Middle East there have been no supply issues in Ireland so far but the situation is being monitored.
Martin said “the other side of the equation is price” and “people are already in difficult positions with their livelihoods” due to the cost of fuel.
“We will do everything we can to keep our economy going, to keep people at work.
“That’s the overriding ambition and objective of the Government, is to keep the economy going, keep our people at work and we’re doing that”.
He added: “we would keep everything else under review in terms of how we can ease the pressure on key sectors” like haulage and food production.
Martin urged protesting farmers and hauliers to feed concerns and proposals through representative organisations.
He said the Government will soon launch a “ comprehensive programme of advice” for citizens on energy efficiency and ways people can lower usage to reduce their costs.
Dublin Fire Brigade appeals to protesters to ensure free passage of emergency vehicles
Dublin Fire Brigade is appealing to all involved in the fuel protests in Dublin city centre to ensure the free passage of all emergency vehicles, both on blue lights heading to an emergency and also returning to base to serve their operational area.
Earlier this morning Dublin Fire Brigade said it experienced significant delays in their response to emergencies, particularly mobilising from Townsend Street HQ.
The brigade said that alternative mobilisation routes are being employed, with the use of empty Luas lines etc.
“The situation has eased somewhat, due to the excellent co-operation with An Garda Síochána, liaising with protesters and clearing routes for our vehicles,” the fire brigade said in a statement.
“We continue to work with the other emergency services to ensure operational readiness and emergency access, and we ask all involved to be extra vigilant and compliant when they hear emergency sirens approaching.”
“Do not wait until the emergency vehicles reach the blockades, please allow the other blocked traffic through in advance, so the route is clear for our vehicles to approach, the statement added.”
Protester numbers on O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge somewhat reduced
Compared to the massing of tractors seen on Tuesday, the focus has shifted towards the other actions across the country, with tractors joining rolling protests on other national roads, reports Hugh Dooley.
Congestion along the quays on both sides of the Liffey has abated, with gardaí having cleared the previous build-up of traffic – though some private buses remain in place on the quays since 6am.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy arrived on the scene to show support for the protesters.
Fuel protests ‘unacceptable and irresponsible’, says Jack Chambers
Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers, has labelled fuel protests “unacceptable and irresponsible”.
Speaking to reporters at Government buildings on Wednesday morning, Chambers said: “I think some of the protests we’ve seen today are completely unacceptable and irresponsible.
“They’re undermining business in our city and across the country.”
Responding to reports demonstrators have blocked a fuel terminal, he said action is “reckless in the extreme, and they should stand down their protest”.
He said the Government has “constant and regular engagement with the representative groups”, including the Irish Road Haulage Association.
Asked if the Gardaí should move protesters who are blocking O’Connell Bridge in Dublin city centre, Chambers said: “They know how to manage protest.” – PA
Taoiseach suggests protesters could face fines
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has suggested that protesters blocking streets with vehicles could face fines, reports Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.
It comes as he earlier suggested there would have to be “penalties” for those blocking streets and fuel depots.
Martin was asked what he meant by this during a joint press conference with Moldovan president Maia Sandu at Government Buildings.
He replied: “policing is an operational matter” and said he “never mentioned anything to do with arrests” earlier in the day.
Martin added: “no one can just park a truck in O’Connell Street or in any other street and just leave it there and we have traffic laws.
“We have a variety of laws and fines that attach to that and I think those have to apply properly.”
He also said: “more importantly, though, we’ve been negotiating with the national bodies representing every sector of our economy.
“We will continue to engage with those national representative bodies who are properly constituted and we always appreciate the right to protest.”
Martin said that “the format and the manner in which these protests have taken [place] is wrong.”
He continued: “we’ve now heard, for example, that there’s attempts made to stop animal feed from leaving ports which will become an animal welfare issue very shortly, if that happens.
“We’ve heard reports that, in some cases, depots are being blockaded, which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.”
He said these actions are “not in the best interest of the Irish people” and that “there is a way to protest but every citizen has freedom of mobility, has the right to access work, their livelihoods, goods and services.
“That’s the basic point we’re making.”
Minister for Agriculture to meet all agriculture stakeholders on Friday
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has criticised the ongoing protests over their impact on farmers and the risk of “animal welfare issues arising,” reports Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.
In a statement on Wednesday, Heydon highlighted the blockage of the ports by protesters which he said is stopping the transportation of feed ingredients to feed mills and merchants has “serious potential implications” for pig and poultry farmers in particular.
He also said: “Further to the above I have received reports that milk is not being collected from some dairy farmers, denying them a means to make their living.”
Heydon added: “Government are managing this issue in real time and are currently spending nearly €4 million-a-day in supporting all sectors of society.
“I and my officials have already met with farm bodies, IBEC and the farm contractors and further to that I have supported the establishment of a new national farm contractors group.”
The main farmers and hauliers’ organisations did not organise the ongoing protests around the country.
Heydon said he will be meeting all agriculture stakeholders on Friday and said “We are maintaining close and continuous engagement with farmers, fishers, processors and industry representatives to ensure we fully understand the challenges they are facing and can respond appropriately.”
Add us as a preferred source in Google search
Protests are ‘causing significant disruption for people in some parts of the country,’ says Gardaí
Since yesterday, An Garda Síochána says it has been engaging with, and continues to engage with, those involved in the fuel protests around the country, seeking to work with them to mitigate the negative impact these protests are having on the lives of their communities.
“While these protests have been peaceful, they are causing significant disruption for people in some parts of the country.”
“We in An Garda Síochána have received reports of emergency workers being delayed or not being able to travel to their work, of people not being able to attend hospital appointments or visit loved ones who are ill.
“Key public transports routes are also delayed or not operating, which means that employees and businesses are heavily impacted. A small number of fuel depots are also being blocked.”
“While An Garda Síochána respects and facilitates the right to peaceful protest, An Garda Síochána must also balance and protect the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business,” it said in a statement
Gardaí has asked and asks again for protesters to engage with them locally to facilitate public transport and other traffic.
The force also said it has received reports of the blocking of diversion routes put in place to facilitate travel around protests and requests that protesters engage with Gardaí locally to facilitate important diversion and emergency routes.
Gardaí said it has no role in permitting or authorising public gatherings or protests.
‘We need to see actions and measures aimed at relief now – not in two months’ time,’ says ICMSA president
The president of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, said the Government must understand the extent of frustration and anger farmers and agricultural contractors are experiencing.
“The current protests are happening in advance of a six to eight-week period on farms that will see the most intensive use of fuel and fertilisers with crops being sowed and silage being harvested – and consequently, the most serious costs. That’s why we need to see actions and measures aimed at relief now – not in two months’ time”, said Drennan.
“The maths on this is very simple and very alarming: eight weeks ago a farmer had to sell two litres of milk to cover the cost of one litre of Green diesel.
“Today, that same farmers has to sell probably five litres of milk to cover the costs of that ame litre of Green diesel. Remember also, that even then – eight weeks ago – it was costing the farmer more to produce the milk than he or she was receiving in payment for that milk and you quickly realise how much more desperate the situation has become.
“Any farmer in Ireland today is considerably better off by not doing anything; not milking his or her cows, not spreading slurry or buying and spreading fertiliser. Not producing milk or beef. That’s an impossible position and we need to hear the Government recognise that”, said the ICMSA president.
Drennan said that the problems in the pricing of Irish food and the ‘built in’ costs that were making Irish farming unviable “obviously” preceded the war in the Gulf and would still apply if and when the ceasefire held.
Portaloos arrive on M7 for fuel protesters
Dublin Bus updates service disruptions
Dublin Bus said it wished to “advise customers that due to fuel price protests, we are experiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays across the Dublin Bus network.”
Southbound, services will operate to and from Parnell Square only.
Northbound, services will operate to and from Merrion Square and St. Stephen’s Green only.
Westbound, services will operate to and from Ormond Quay only.
The 27 and 77a bus routes will operate to and from Cook Street while the 27 a/b route will operate only to and from Abbey Street.
Some service stations in west of Ireland out of fuel, says Fuels for Ireland chief
The Government needs to intervene and ensure that fuel supplies from the depots in Galway and Limerick can continue to supply service stations around the State, the chief executive for Fuels for Ireland, Kevin McPartlan, has said, reports Colm Keena.
The decision of protesters to block access to the fuel terminals is having an immediate impact on fuel deliveries to service stations and the longer the blockage goes on the greater will be the impact, he said.
With the Galway terminal already blocked for 24 hours, some service stations in the west have already run out of fuel, he said.
Calling for intervention to ensure the flow of fuel from the depots resumes, McPartlan said it is a decision that needed to be taken at the highest level of Government.
“Are you prepared for ambulances, garda vehicles, fire engines, coast guard vehicles, ESB network vehicles, doctors and nurses to be unable to operate because they cannot get fuel for their vehicles or are you going to take control of the situation?” he said.
“If I were the Minister, I would be saying that we need to respect the right to protest, while balancing that respect with a need to ensure that normal services can be maintained. And we are now at a point where normal services will not be maintained if this goes on for a lot longer.”
The head of the representative body said the sector had worked since the war on Iran began to ensure the continued flow of fuel into Ireland but the country was now “shooting itself in the foot.”
“We are now saying we can’t get it that last couple of miles from the fuel depot in Galway to the service station that is waiting for a top up,” he said.
If the Government had decided it was not going to intervene to ensure that service stations cannot be supplied with fuel, “let them tell us so,” he said.
Have your say on the fuel protests
A loose coalition of hauliers, farmers, agricultural contractors, plant-hire firms, bus operators and delivery firms has caused traffic disruption across the country with a series of protests high fuel prices.
The protests stopped traffic for hours across the country and have caused severe disruption to public transport services yesterday and on Wednesday. This morning the protests were extended to include some blockades on fuel depots.
How have you been impacted by the protests? Did you miss an appointment, a funeral or a meeting? Were you late to work?
And what is your view on the approach being taken by those protesting?
You can share your view using the form below. Please limit your submissions to 400 words or less.
‘Waiting on a phone call’: Fuel protests will continue until meeting with Ministers secured
Fuel protesters in Dublin city centre will remain in place until they secure a meeting with Government Ministers, a spokesperson for the movement said, reports Hugh Dooley.
“We are waiting to hear back for a phone call and a meeting,” said agriculture contractor John Dallon. He said the Government was refusing to engage with anyone beyond representative bodies, a stance he characterised as “totally disrespectful”.
He said there are groups within the protest movement that are not represented by sectoral bodies such as the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), such as taxi and bus drivers.
“The Government can clearly sort this out with a phone call and a meeting – not a meeting next week or the week after, a meeting today or tomorrow – and the city will be cleared.”
The protesters are demanding a cap on green diesel at 90 cent per litre, a cap on white diesel at either €1.60 or €1.70 per litre and the abolition of carbon tax and excise duty on fuels, among other similar demands.
He said protesters do not want to be “up here in Dublin, everyone has work to do”.
Some Opposition parties support protesters
People Before Profit supports the protests and urges a widening of them into a broad movement to force Government action to end the cost of living crisis, reports Political Editor Pat Leahy.
Independent Ireland defended the right of people to protest and called on the Government to meet the protesters.
“We have seen on social media and in traditional media reports that the organisers have sought a meeting with Government.
“Given the scale of participation and the level of discontent across the country, it is entirely reasonable that such a request would be met with engagement from the Government so as to find a resolution and bring the protests to a conclusion.
“Ireland has a long and established tradition of protest, both around the Dáil, in Dublin city, and across the country, on a wide range of issues – from climate and environmental concerns to foreign policy and conflict.
“The purpose of protest is, by its nature, to draw attention to issues, and at times to cause a degree of disruption in doing so.”
‘Big problems’ on M7 city bound
There are big problems on the M7 city bound now at Naas due to slow moving traffic made up of trucks, tractors, vans, buses and cars, reports Sarah Slater.
Motorists are being advised to avoid the motorway if they can and use alternative routes to get around.
‘I can’t afford to spend the whole day in traffic’: Mixed views among commuters affected by the road blockages
“I support these guys completely, but there should be some toilets here if I have to stay for more hours” said Adam Alinowski, a taxi driver who is stuck in place beside O’Connell Bridge having terminated a fare on arriving at the protest, reports Hugh Dooley.
“I can’t say even one bad word about farmers [protesting in the city],” he told The Irish Times.
The protests, he said, are the best way to reduce rising fuel prices and prices generally.
Since he moved to Ireland 20 years ago, Alinowski says he remembers fuel prices being less than €1 during the financial crash even when listed prices of Brent Crude, a global measure for oil prices, were as high as $120.
Alinowski said taxes on fuel for those who work in the transport sector are unfair as they are also getting taxed on their income as well as their costs.
Anne Kearns, a commuter into the city centre said she had been sympathetic to the protesters before today. She said the protests would “garner their cause no sympathy”.
The disruptions to traffic have left her an hour late for work. She said it is a “disgrace [that protesters] are holding the city and commuters for ransom”.
Also stuck in traffic is Dawid, a roofing contractor. He hit gridlock nearly two hours ago.
“I agree with them on the message of the protest, but we are all workers – we all need money, and we all need to go to work to get that money.” Dawid and a colleague are stuck with their equipment in their van just “two minutes” away from work.
“I would support any other way that they can protest it – to allow the people that have to get to work to get there, so they can support their families.
“I can’t afford to spend the whole day in traffic,” explaining he will not get paid for the day if he is not at work.”
Opposition parties mostly declined to back a continuation of fuel protests
Asked if they support a continuation of the protests, a Sinn Féin spokesman said: “The organisers of the fuel protests have requested a meeting with a Government representative. That meeting should happen straight away to allow everyone to get back to work,” reports Political Editor Pat Leahy.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said that he didn’t support the continuation of the protests. “I don’t want to see our cities and towns blocked,” he said.
“There is a serious crisis in terms of the cost of fuel in this country. Many small businesses are going to the wall. The Government are not doing enough. A solution to this would be that the Minister would meet with representatives of this campaign.
“It’s pure stubbornness that he has not met these people to date. I have heard the Government say that they won’t meet because they are not a registered organisation, but they are Irish citizens. The Government is employed by citizens, and they should meet with them.”
In a statement, Labour said that it appreciated “the deep distress and frustration experienced by hauliers, contractors and all those now causing blockades and traffic disruptions across the country in a campaign to bring fuel prices down and we recognise their right to peaceful protest.”
But it said: “We would urge protesters to end their blockades immediately as these are causing significant disruption to workers and families, many tens of thousands of whom are already in energy arrears and huge financial difficulties with a cost of living crisis.”
It said the Government should meet with “the relevant representative bodies.”
The Social Democrats said that they did not support the continuation of the protests as did the Green Party.
Gardaí managing Dublin motorists’ expectations: ‘We have to tell them you just can’t’
Irish Times Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly said gardaí are now diverting traffic across Grattan Bridge, the Liffey bridge which runs from Capel Street to Parliament Street.
The majority of drivers took the right turn across the bridge without question, taking them out of the gridlock, but some stopped to ask for guidance.
“Most want to know how to get to the Jervis Centre,” one garda on duty said. “We have to tell them you just can’t”.
This traffic management measure meant the majority of vehicles on the north quays heading towards O’Connell Bridge were tractors and lorries involved the protest, or buses.
Several drivers were trapped in their vehicles for hours, particularly on Burgh Quay, between Tara Street and O’Connell Bridge on the south quays.
Georgina, a solicitor, had been making her way from Donnybrook to the Four Courts at about 8.30am when she realised she had become trapped in the protest traffic.
“I think it’s very unacceptable, to interrupt people going to work, people going to hospital appointments. Luckily, I’m just going to my office, but I think it’s a ridiculous thing to do. It’s only affecting other people, not the Government. The Government are sitting up in Leinster House, and we’re sitting here on the quays.”
After more than two hours stationary on the quays, she was becoming frustrated, and concerned about how she would manage the rest of her day.
“I’ll have to try to make arrangements, pick people up after school and things like that.”
She said no garda had approached her in the time she had been on the quays.
“The bus drivers have been very good, trying to find out what’s happening, but they are the only people we’re getting any information from. There have been no gardaí down to us and I think that’s a big problem.
“There should be more of them, they should move on to protesters at this point. They made their point, they should let people get to work and wherever else they need to go.”
David, a painter, was just metres away from reaching his turn from the quays on to Hawkins Street when he became trapped.
“I’m doing a spray of the new building just behind here [College Square on Tara Street] so I nearly made it,” he said. He also had been stuck on the quays since shortly after 8am after driving up early from Longford.
“I knew about the protests, but I thought it would be okay, because I was able to get in yesterday, but it’s worse today.”
Although not part of the protest, he said he was supportive of it.
“The diesel is too expensive, and a lot of people, like farmers, they have to use a lot of diesel in a day, and I think they can be paying around €280 a day now and they will be paying more. It’s crazy.”
Taoiseach says ‘fuel depots will have to be cleared’
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has suggested gardaí will have to act to clear fuel depots and main thoroughfares if protesters continue to block them, writes Irish Times Political Editor Pat Leahy.
Asked this morning at Government Buildings whether the gardaí would now have to act, Martin said: “Fuel depots will have to be cleared. There’s no justification whatsoever for blockading fuel depots, it runs counter to what everybody wants, which is access to fuel on a timely basis.
“And there was always a balance when there are protests. I mean, we are in democracy, we respect people’s right to protest. And so there’s always a balance, initially, in terms of how that is policed.”
The Taoiseach added there would have to be “penalties” for those blocking streets and fuel depots.
“But what is not acceptable is people declaring that we will turn O’Connell Street into a car park. That’s not acceptable. There are people with businesses on O’Connell Street who need to survive, who need footfall. We need people to be able to access those businesses.
“That’s not acceptable. And anybody who just simply parks a truck in the middle of nowhere, there should be penalties, and there will be penalties, in terms of any violations of various laws that apply there.
“But I think, in my view ... and in the Government’s view, it’s unacceptable that we would have motorways ... main arteries of the country blocked, particularly when Government has engaged in negotiations with the nationally, properly constituted representative organisations.
“We cannot operate on any other basis. We engage with bodies that are properly constituted, that are representative nationally of various sectors of our economy and of our society.
“And we accept fully and understand the pressures that people are under because of raising fuel prices. That why we acted two weeks ago. And that’s why we’ve continued to engage, and we will invite international representative organisations, again, to continue that engagement.”
M7 blockade causes long disruption
The M7 motorway continues to be closed at the Portlaoise bypass resulting in significant traffic snarl-ups, writes Sarah Slater.
In Birr, Co Offaly traffic is at a complete standstill beside the Tesco supermarket
MEP Ciaran Mullooly has slammed the Taoiseach for being “petty and disingenuous” for saying he will not meet with the protesters unless they are a national representative group.
“He should swallow his pride and get on with the discussions, which would immediately end the protests and ease difficulties for the public who are caught in the middle.”
Independent Ireland TD Richard O’Donoghue said in an online statement the M7 is “currently empty due to effective protests on the motorway in both directions.
“Well done to all involved, including An Garda Síochána, who have been very understanding and working with the protesters to ensure the protest is done safely.”
Taoiseach: Protesters are turning O’Connell Street into a car park
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has criticised protesters for turning O’Connell Street “into a car park”.
Martin said the Government will only speak to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and not to the protests group currently blocking many towns and cities in the country.
“The protests at the moment are wrong. To prevent mobility, to prevent people from accessing livelihoods, medical appointments, disrupting day-to-day activities in the manner that has happened is wrong, and is a wrong form of protest,” he said.
“And, in my view, is not conducive to cohesion within our society or to resolving issues in a satisfactory manner.”
Letter writers to The Irish Times are critical of the fuel protesters. You can read their contributions here.
Fuel protesters say they will continue their blockades tomorrow
The organisation calling itself the People Of Ireland Against Fuel Prices Protest called for a “massive nationwide rolling protest” across the country on Thursday.
“Families, workers, farmers, hauliers, recovery drivers, fishermen, builders, small businesses, and ordinary people can no longer carry the burden of crippling fuel prices, rising costs, and endless taxes,” the group states on its Facebook page.
“We are asking everyone who is not driving in the convoys to come out and support us from bridges, roadsides, town approaches, and safe public areas, waving Irish flags in solidarity. Show the country that the people are united.”
The locations chosen include Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Sligo, Donegal, Clare, Limerick, Cork, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Portumna, Banagher Bridge and Athlone.
Trade unionists criticises ‘double standards’ over fuel prices
The general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Owen Reidy, has spoken of the “double standards” in Ireland, writes Vivienne Clarke.
“I’ve been involved in many public transport disputes over the years, and we have to ballot our members for industrial action, serve seven day’s notice, and ultimately, if we don’t do that, the High Court can injunct the disputes and sequester the union’s funds, but it seems farmers and businesses, because the hauliers are businesses, can do as they please,” he told RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with David McCullagh show.
Something was happening in “middle Ireland”, he added. The Government had a problem because they were not responsible for the current crisis.
“It’s a lunatic in the White House and a war criminal in Tel Aviv, but they are responsible for the policy choices, and that’s key.
“We’ve looked for a member of the Labour Employer Economic Forum, which is the Government, unions and employers, and that’s meeting next Friday, and we’ll be putting a range of immediate policy options that we think it’s imperative the Government take.
“Because I think in the cost-of-living crisis, which is only going to get worse, it’s crucial we put workers centre stage.”
He believed governments should be seeking to make public services cheaper.
“We think, as this crisis is only going to get worse, it’s important that they make them much cheaper, and in some cases free, and that’s education, health and public transport for a period of time.
“We think workers need to see a double indexation of the tax plans, because we didn’t get it in last year’s budget and we need to get it in this one.”
Taoiseach warns protesters of consequences
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned the protests.
Senior Ministers are meeting this morning to deal with the fuel protests.
He warned there will be penalties for people who continue to block streets and roads.
The Taoiseach added that the Government is speaking to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and will not speak to protesters.
Dublin Bus struggling to maintain services
Dublin Bus is reporting that hundreds of its fleet have been affected by the fuel protests.
Spokesman Blake Boland said not only O’Connell Street blocked from north to south, but the quays at O’Connell Bridge have been blocked from west to east.
Protesters are “splintering off” and causing disruption elsewhere. As a consequence, buses are having to turn around, he told RTÉ Radio.
The cross-city routes are the worst affected. Buses are terminating in places just outside the city centre including Merrion Square and Parnell Square where they can travel no further, he said.
Minister for Transport calls protests ‘counterproductive’
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has strongly condemned the fuel protests around the country, describing them as counterproductive.
“What it is doing right now is costing the very businesses within our towns and cities. If you want to retain the services to help people, you have to have a functioning economy.”
He said the Government had significantly reduced excise on petrol and diesel.
“I recognise the fact that there are genuine concerns that people have. But I think, by any fair assessment, if you look at how we’ve responded so far, and compare how Ireland and the Irish Government has responded with regard to support, versus other European countries, our measures have been significant.
“I respectfully ask those who are protesting recognise that and desist.”
What is happening now is “not helpful, to put it mildly” and he said the Government will continue to speak to the representative bodies of the industry bodies especially the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).
He raised the issue of the blockade of oil terminals at Galway and Foynes with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and described it as a “serious turn of events”.
“We can’t have a situation of forecourts with no supply,” he told RTÉ’s Today with David McCullagh programme.
“Nobody wants to escalate this, we want to de-escalate it. We understand what they [the protesters] are saying, but we need to be able to respond in a sustainable and targeted way to a global crisis. This is not a crisis that is unique to Ireland.”
Long tailbacks in Limerick city
There’s major traffic chaos around Limerick city again today during a second day of protests.
The M7 is closed between Junction 2 on the Dock Road and Junction 29 on the Ballysimon Road.
Kilometre-long tailbacks and gridlock are being reported from many areas into the city, including approaching the Mackey roundabout with the M7 closed at Castletroy junction southbound and on the N18 through Patrickswell.
Chambers says there will be no negotiation with fuel protesters
The Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has described the fuel protests as “irresponsible and unacceptable”.
He called on them to “desist and stand down”.
He says the Government has no plans to meet protesters as it is already talking to the representative bodies.
Speaking at Government Buildings, he said it was up to the gardaí if they wanted to move protesters on, but the protesters should not continue to disrupt commercial and daily life.
Fuel protesters vow to continue in Galway
Fuel protesters at Lough Atalia say there’ll be “no oil in or out of Galway” until the Government acts on the high prices.
A convoy of about 20 trucks and tractors remained in the city overnight, with more expected to join the blockade today, according to Galway Bay FM.
However, they say there will be no rolling protests throughout the city today, with the hopes traffic won’t be disrupted like yesterday.
The Galway oil terminal in the Docks area of the city is being blockaded by protesters.
O’Connell Street in Dublin remains blocked both northbound and southbound.
Custom House Quay, Eden Quay north and the southside of O’Connell Street are all occupied by protesters.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the city centre and its approaches.
Cork: Protests causing major delays
Fuel protests are causing major delays across Cork again this morning, with approach roads into the city, the N28, M8 and the N22 Macroom bypass all affected.
The N28 Shannonpark and Ringaskiddy road has a slow-moving convoy reported between Shannonpark roundabout and Shanbally.
Traffic on the N28 at Carrs Hill is experiencing significant delays as a result, with reports of the Shannonpark roundabout area at a complete standstill.
A lot of traffic is backed up at Carrigaline, with significant queuing at Ballinrea Cross.
The N22 Macroom bypass is blocked by trucks at Coolcower.
Dublin Bus announces curtailed services
Dublin Bus has advised its passengers of the following service disruptions because of the fuel protests.
Southbound: Services will operate to and from Parnell Square only.
Northbound: Services will operate to and from Merrion Square and St Stephen’s Green only.
Westbound: Services will operate to and from Heuston Station only.
Dublin city centre protests are ‘indefinite’
The blockade of both sides of O’Connell Bridge is “indefinite” according to a spokesperson for the fuel protesters, John Dallon.
The Kildare man, who spoke to The Irish Times on behalf of the protest movement, put the onus on the Government to end the blockages, noting the “power is in their hands” to reduce fuel prices.
The blockages are in place on O’Connell Bridge, as well as the junctions towards D’Olier Street and on to O’Connell Street, and began at 6am this morning.
Although those stuck in traffic believed there was to be a reprieve at 10am, Dallon said the blockade is “indefinite”, but asked commuters to “bear with us.
“We are doing this for the common good,” Dallon said, noting fuel prices affect all drivers across the country in addition to those in farming, haulage and related industries.
M8 disruption could last until Friday
Organisers of the fuel protest on the M8 motorway in Cashel say they could be there until Friday, writes Sarah Slater.
The blockade was maintained overnight by up to 80 trucks, vans and tractors.
Adrian Williams, a local organiser, told Tipp FM News that many of the protesters were “prepared to stay out all week”.
Williams said diesel prices need to be capped at €1.70 and petrol at €1.60.
The protesters claim they will not end their action until the Government does something about the rising cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil.
Further help is on the way, says Healy-Rae
Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has said the Government is going to react in a positive way to support hauliers and agricultural contractors affected by rising fuel costs, writes Vivienne Clarke
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland programme, the Kerry TD said it was obvious “more has to be done for these people, because you cannot expect people to work for nothing”.
“If further reductions can be given, that is what the Government will seriously have to look at, because if you take, for instance, last week, the Irish Road Hauliers Association met with Minister [for Transport] Darragh O’Brien.
“He explained to them the measures of what he was going to be trying to do to help that association, and they actually, because of the negotiations and talks that they’ve had, while I’m not trying to say they’re happy, but they know that Government are going to react and react in a positive way.”
When asked whether the Government would be encouraging people to use less fuel, Healy-Rae said the Government had always encouraged people to use less fuel.
“But practicalities apply here, and if you live in a rural location, you can cycle or walk to work. You don’t have a bus outside your door to take you to work. You have to go to work,” he said.
“There are certain things that have to happen every day to move goods, to feed people and to keep this country going, and one of those things is a thing called diesel oil, and we need to keep our transport going and we need to keep things moving.
“Our hauliers have to do their job every day, which is keeping us all alive. If it wasn’t for those people, this country would cease to operate.”
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has published this map of disruptions which may help those who are planning their journeys.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland spokesman Seán O’Neill has outlined the main locations for traffic disruption outside Dublin at present.
– There is a go-slow on Junction 17 of the M7 near Portlaoise
– there is another go-slow on the M7 as you leave Limerick city
– the M22 in Macroom is seeing large tailbacks causing disruption
– the Ennis plaza on the M18 is also the site of fuel protests which is leading to traffic backing up.
– in Galway city there is disruption around the Docks area.
Protesters block fuel terminals
Fuels for Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland has warned that the blockage of oil terminals in Galway and Foynes could have a big impact on supply.
“It is very concerning for us. We don’t want a situation where forecourts run out of stock,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme.
He expressed frustration that the gardaí had not done more to ensure that those fuel terminals remained free of protests.
He added: “We pay more tax than any other European country. I have been told and I was told last week that we would have a meeting with the Tánaiste Minister of Finance this week.
“I’m waiting for that to be confirmed, and that’s the point I’ll be making to Simon Harris when we meet this week.”
Fuel protesters have extended their blockade of roads in the capital, writes Hugh Dooley.
On Tuesday, the blockade had focused on “turning O’Connell Street into a car park”, but as commuters came into the city at 6am this morning, they were met by the disruption having spread on to both sides of O’Connell Bridge.
Lorraine, an office worker from the Northside, said her usual 20 minute commute into work for 6am has seen her stranded on the Dublin quays for more than two and a half hours.
She said she understands the reasoning behind the disruption, but is “running out of sympathy” for the cause. The only people the action hurts, she said, are “the Joe Soaps”.
She described the traffic as “chaos”, with lengthy diversions in place.
Dublin Bus warns of widespread disruption
Dublin Bus spokesperson Blake Boland has said that there is significant disruption to services because of the fuel protests, writes Vivienne Clarke.
“Essentially anything that’s trying to come across the city is trapped,” he told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland programme.
O’Connell Street is now closed on both the north and south sides with Dublin Bus attempting to divert buses along Eden Quay and Gardiner Street.
Protesters have now blocked Fleet Street, he said, which has blocked what was an access route. While a number of buses were able to leave their depots earlier this morning, there was now a challenge in getting buses across the city, added Boland.
“So you might be expecting a bus on the outskirts of Dublin, 10, 12 kilometres away that simply can’t get out there in order to turn and do that trip back into town again.
“With 130 routes and 800 to 900 buses on the street, the situation was very changeable and Dublin Bus would be trying to keep the public up to date on cancellations, delays and diversions through on street signage, the Dublin Bus website and social media.
“I think everybody is sympathetic to the fact that there are delays and diversions out there, so we’re trying to get the information out to people, we have chief inspectors there on site, and what they’re doing is trying to marshal buses, move them around, perhaps communicate with customers on the ground.”
Widespread disruption to commuters across the country
Commuters across the country are facing a second day of significant disruption because of fuel protests.
In Dublin city centre. O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge are at a standstill, and both the North and South Quays are now also affected.
Slow-moving convoys are causing tailbacks on the N21 from Adare towards Limerick city at the Ballysimon Road and the Macroom bypass in Co Cork in both directions.
An Garda Síochána is also reporting traffic disruption at the Galway Docks in Galway city.
In Tullamore, those taking part in the protests are gathering at the retail park in the town with groups from Clara, Kilbeggan, Edenderry and Birr present.
The bypass of the town is blocked by those meeting to protest.
They plan to move out from the retail park at 8.30am arriving into Tullamore town for 9am.
Luas passengers in Dublin have been advised that Green lines are currently not operating between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick. Services are operating between Broombridge and Dominick and between St Stephen’s Green and Brides Glen only.
Senior ministers to discuss further fuel price measures
Oil prices continued their roller coastal of recent weeks and plunged 15 per cent on news of a US-Iran two week ceasefire.
At one stage the price of a barrel of Brent crude fell from $110 to less than $94 a barrel, but that is still elevated from the $72 a barrel it was before the war.
Damage done to oil and gas infrastructure is likely to keep fuel prices elevated to a higher level than before the war started.
Senior Government ministers will meet on Wednesday to consider further help for hauliers and farmers.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the Minister for Finance Simon Harris, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien are expected to attended.
Fuel protests are continuing in several areas after a major demonstration on Tuesday that saw convoys of trucks, tractors and coaches bring traffic to a standstill in many parts of the country
There were protests on the M8 close to Cashel in Co Tipperary overnight with scores of people maintaining a blockade.
In Dublin, there is major transport disruption this morning with O’Connell Street closed on both sides amid continued protests.
