Fuel protests ‘beyond the pale’ and harming economy, says Taoiseach

Taoiseach warns protests are disrupting essential services and infrastructure as pressure grows to restore fuel supply access nationwide

Vehicles take part on the third day of a National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices in O'Connell St, Dublin. Picture: Bairbre Holmes/PA Wire

The Taoiseach has said fuel price protests have gone “beyond the pale” and risk damaging the economy.

Micheál Martin said it is “unacceptable that people would be denied access to clean water” as he expressed concerns about the impact of people trying to get around Dublin.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1, Mr Martin questioned who the protesters were, as he again said the Government will not engage with these groups.

Protests are continuing across the country, with Dublin’s College Green and O’Connell Street blocked.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said this morning that the Defence Forces have been asked to assist the Gardaí to move protesters blocking oil refineries and terminals.

The oil refinery at Whitegate, Cork, has been blocked, while fuel terminals at Foynes and Galway have also been blocked.

Mr O’Callaghan said that the blocking of infrastructure will not be allowed and that people should not “complain” if their vehicles are damaged.

Speaking on the blockades, Mr Martin said forecourts will have no fuel as a result of these actions.

“It's not beyond those who are protesting to channel their issues through those [constituted] organisations,” the Taoiseach said.

“There was no advance or any attempt to have any meaningful negotiation prior to any of these protests. Let's put that on the record.

“There are mechanisms by people that people can utilise, and channels they can utilise, but they need to call off these protests because they're hurting people, hurting ordinary people.

“What's the logic and sense in blocking access to fuel? There are some forecourts will have no fuel this morning.”

Mr Martin also said the protests are “injuring the economy”.

He continued: “People are finding difficulty getting to health appointments. We have The Rotunda [advising] pregnant women to go much earlier than normal to get to their appointments or to get to the hospital.

“We've main arteries blocked, and we have the essentials of the economy being stopped and paralysed right now.

“That's not fair to the people of Ireland. It's not a fair form of protest.” 

He again criticised the blocking of O’Connell Street, saying there are “businesses on all of these streets that have to survive”.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said on Thursday morning that the “blocking of critical national infrastructure will not be permitted to continue and the assistance of the Defence Forces has been requested”.

When asked if the Defence Forces would be asked to clear protests on motorways, Mr Martin said he would consider them critical infrastructure but declined to go into details of the policing operation.

The Taoiseach said the gardaí have engaged with protesters, but that policing will be subject to a “review in due course”.