Alan Healy: Even if the fuel price protesters go home, the problem won't

With the age of cheap, reliable, geopolitically uncomplicated energy over, Ireland needs to have an honest discussion about energy independence

Fuel protests around Dublin close off routes into the city centre. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins 

Whether it is by force through the Defence Forces or voluntarily after dialogue, the protests and blockades will come to an end at some stage and allow the resumption of travel and fuel deliveries.

And while the blockaders may move off O'Connell Street and allow fuel trucks to depart the Whitegate refinery, Ireland is still left in a perilous state when it comes to our dependence on energy and a Middle East ceasefire that hangs by a thread.