LIVE: Slow-moving convoys cause traffic disruption as nationwide fuel protests under way

White car gets ahead of the rolling protest heading east to the Jack Lynch tunnell. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Motorists have been urged to plan their journeys as major routes are being brought to a standstill by planned fuel protests.

Several slow-moving convoys have been reported by gardaí this morning, and motorists have been advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

In Cork, a convoy of approximately 100 vehicles is heading east along the N40 from Ballincollig.

There are tailbacks near Midleton on the N25, while further disruption is expected on the South Ring Road, the M8, the N20 from Mallow, and the N71 between Clonakilty and Skibbereen.

Convoys have also been reported on the M7 near Limerick city and the M6 near Athenry in Co Galway.

Both sides of the M7 are currently blocked.

In Kildare, a convoy is travelling eastbound on the M7 approaching Junction 13 near Kildare Village, and disruption can also be expected on the M4 at Junction 8, Kilcock.

Another slow-moving convoy is currently travelling on the N52 in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Gardaí have also warned of disruption in Meath, eastbound on the M3 approaching Junction 8 (Navan).

Meanwhile, in Galway, another convoy is travelling westbound on the M6 at Junction 18, Athenry, while a slow-moving convoy is in the vicinity of Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Rolling protest heading east to the Jack Lynch tunnell. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

A number of assembly points have been set up to assist traffic on the M1, N2, N3, N4, N7, and N11 from various locations across Dublin, Louth, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow.

The protests have been organised by a group called the People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices Protest.

The organisers said the intention is that the various convoys will converge before heading for Dublin city centre.

Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) president Ger Hyland said the IRHA was not involved in the protest.

“We empathise with them, we can see where they're coming from. Our position on this is that we are still at the table with government. We had a meeting with government last Friday, we're meeting with them again this week," Mr Hyland told Newstalk Breakfast.

As an association the IRHA was not involved with the protest, he said, but it was up to every member to make their own decision. “We have members who are probably involved in this today.

“They're involved in it because they can't afford to fuel their trucks. It's up to every individual haulier himself to do as he sees fit for his company," he added.

Fuels for Ireland chief Kevin McPartland said on the same programme that the crux of the issue was excise duty.

"They've let everybody off 20c a litre, but actually they're collecting 16c of that back in Vat. So I have a lot of sympathy with the protesters today.

“We need an expert group to have a comprehensive review of all of the taxation and compliance cost of fuel.

“If I was a haulier, if I was an agricultural contractor, I would be saying, yeah, but how do I remain in business today? I do think we need targeted responses for those particular sectors," Mr Partland said.

First view of the rolling protest heading east to the Jack Lynch tunnell. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless has said the government will do “as much as it can for as long as it can” to respond to rising fuel prices.

“We've cut the price of diesel and petrol at the pumps. We've extended the winter heating scheme into another four weeks. So we're doing as much as we can for as long as we can, but one of the things about this war, this situation, is it's moving so rapidly and it is quite a volatile situation. So the war could ramp up or the war could ramp down.

“As government we have to do something that's sustainable, that's costed, that's repeatable, and the taxpayer ultimately can stand over. So we're taking it one step at a time. We are engaging with industry, trying to manage people's expenses, because we know it's hard, and pump heating in particular is a strain," Mr Lawless said.

“We'll revisit again at the end of the four weeks. But look, I think at the moment it's one week at a time, and that's very much the way the war has been playing out as well. It could be all over, or it could be into another escalation.

“We just don't know where this is going to take us. We have to step carefully in a way that is sustainable and that the economy can afford.” 

He added: "The longer that we're importing fossil fuels from outside the EU, the longer we will continue to be dependent on oil stocks or gas stocks or these kind of surprises in the markets and these kinds of exposures.

“We need to become more sustainable in terms of energy independence, renewables, other fuels, other sources beyond fossil fuels, and have a wider energy mix.”