Taoiseach: Opposition leaders 'lacked courage' during fuel protests

Opposition leaders fired back that Micheál Martin had little empathy

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026 - 14:07

Paul Hosford

The Taoiseach has accused opposition leaders of lacking "courage" during the fuel price protests while they accused him of lacking empathy in a fiery Dáil Leaders' Questions.

As the fallout from Tuesday's shock resignation of Michael Healy-Rae continued, opposition parties all raised the cost of living with Micheál Martin, with Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald telling the Dáil that a recent Dublin City Council decision to increase rents is evidence the Government is "arrogant" and "out of touch".

In response, Mr Martin said that he was "disturbed" that the opposition party had not condemned last week's blockade of ports and the country's only oil refinery in Whitegate.

“You cannot say that it’s wrong to blockade ports, even though it would destroy our economy. You can’t say it’s wrong to intimidate bus drivers. You haven’t the courage. You’re weak as a political party,” he said.

Ms McDonald shot back that she had continually condemned intimidation.

“And anybody who has known me in any part of my life knows that I may lack many things, I do not lack courage," she said.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns was also accused by the Taoiseach of lacking "the courage of her convictions" after saying that last week's protests had been foreseeable due to the cost of living.

“The cost of simply existing in this country is growing and growing and growing, and it is crushing people. There is no let-up, no relief, and little to no help from government.

“That is why people were on the streets last week,” Ms Cairns said.

Mr Martin had also clashed with Labour leader Ivana Bacik, saying that she had been "notable by her silence" during last week's protests.

Mr Martin said that Labour "got a glimpse of what sidling up to Sinn Féin can mean".

“That’s fair enough. That’s your decision. And you opted not to go into government because you were afraid of people outside."

Ms Bacik hit back at the Taoiseach by accusing him of trying to "rewrite history".