Fuel protests force cancellation of high-level Government trip to Canada

Planned high-level engagements in Ottawa and Toronto called off as disruption from nationwide fuel protests escalates

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking to the media in The Courtyard at Government Buildings, Dublin ahead of a leaders' meeting on fuel prices. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Micheál Martin and the Government’s planned trade mission to Canada will be cancelled as fuel protests across the country continue, it is understood.

The Taoiseach was due to travel to Canada on Sunday for several days of engagements in Ottawa Toronto, along with trade minister Helen McEntee, higher education minister James Lawless, enterprise minister Peter Burke, agriculture minister Martin Heydon, and junior minister Timmy Dooley

However, the Irish Examiner understands the trade mission will be cancelled.

This included a bilateral meeting between the Taoiseach and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Monday.

Over the course of Friday, it became increasingly unlikely that the delegation would be able to travel.

Sources initially indicated that the Taoiseach and Mr Heydon were unlikely to travel. However, sources then questioned whether Ms McEntee would be able to go given her responsibilities for defence.

Speaking on Newstalk, the Taoiseach said he did not know when the trade mission would be rescheduled.

“It's a regret, because we're an exporting nation,” he said.

“Part of counteracting the tariff situation in America is to develop strong trading relationships with countries like Canada.

“There were quite a number of good job engagements with companies that are potentially setting up in Ireland, with more jobs for the country.

“The whole endeavour has been positive, to try and get economic activity, to cement it, to double down on the relationship with Canada, which has been very strong since the CETA trade agreement came into play provisionally back in 2017. Exponential growth in trade between our two countries.

“That's the kind of work I want to be focused on, developing the country, bringing the country on, creating more opportunities for jobs into the future. But obviously, we have to deal with the situation and protect the rights of people generally.”