Ireland is on the “precipice of turning oil away from the country,” Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned as fuel-related protests continue across the State, reports Breaking News.
He described the blocking of ports and a refinery by demonstrators as “unconscionable,” reports Breaking News.
The comments come as gardaí were deployed to a protest at Ireland’s only oil refinery in Whitegate, amid growing concern that fuel supplies could run low after days of blockades at key distribution sites linked to rising fuel prices driven by conflict involving Iran.
Protests disrupting fuel distribution continued on Friday, although organisers said some fuel deliveries were being permitted to proceed, reports Breaking News.
Hauliers and agricultural contractors began demonstrations on Tuesday, which escalated from motorway convoys and traffic disruption in Dublin to blockades of major fuel depots supplying much of the country.
Access to critical facilities, including the Whitegate refinery in County Cork and fuel depots in Galway and Foynes, has been restricted, reports Breaking News.
The disruption has raised concerns about panic buying at petrol stations, with some forecourts reportedly running dry, as well as knock-on effects for emergency services and agricultural supply chains.
Government leaders have condemned the protests as unlawful, stating that fuel blockades are effectively holding the country to “ransom,” reports Breaking News.
The Irish Defence Forces remain on standby to assist gardaí in clearing blockades at critical infrastructure, including fuel depots.
An Garda Síochána confirmed officers were present at an incident in Whitegate on Friday morning.
A protest spokesperson at Foynes Port said limited fuel and essential deliveries, including supplies for hospitals and frontline services, were being allowed through blockades, reports Breaking News.
Micheál Martin told RTÉ that Ireland risks losing access to incoming oil shipments if disruption continues, warning that vessels could be diverted elsewhere.
He said oil currently on a tanker off the coast of Galway could be purchased by other countries if it is not unloaded in time, reports Breaking News.
When asked if Ireland could lose all of its oil supply, he replied: “correct.”
He added: “It is unconscionable, it’s illogical, it is difficult to comprehend,” reports Breaking News.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said he was “extremely concerned” about fuel distribution across the country, particularly regarding impacts on emergency services.
He warned of potential strain on fire and emergency response capacity, stressing the need to de-escalate the situation urgently, reports Breaking News.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said the Government is preparing a package of measures aimed at tackling inflation and reducing costs for consumers, which could be announced imminently.
He said the goal would be to ease pressure on households and reduce prices on essential goods, reports Breaking News.
Confusion has emerged over a planned Government meeting on Friday afternoon, with Ministers stating they will only engage with recognised representative bodies rather than protest groups.
A meeting involving Ministers, including Darragh O’Brien and Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, is due to take place with farming, haulage and business organisations.
While protesters claimed they had been invited, Government representatives said no protest groups were formally included, reports Breaking News.
Fuel protest spokesman James Geoghegan said he and others had been invited through political contacts and intended to attend, though this was disputed by officials.
He also said protests would continue even if talks took place, despite earlier suggestions that demonstrations might be paused if engagement occurred, reports Breaking News.
The group has expanded its demands to include scrapping carbon tax on green diesel, capping fuel prices, restarting oil exploration off the west coast, and recalling the Dáil.
They also argued that domestic oil resources off the west coast should be developed, claiming exploration companies had indicated significant reserves, reports Breaking News.
President of the Irish Road Haulage Association Ger Hyland said he is willing to act as a mediator between protesters and the Government, reports Breaking News.
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