It remains to be seen if the Government’s plan to address fuel concerns will have an impact on recent days’ action.
Last evening, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, An Tánaiste Simon Harris with Minister of State Seán Canney, outlined a series of measures some of which will take effect at midnight tomorrow (Tuesday, 14th April) if approved when it comes before the Dáil in the next day or so.
Some service stations are still without petrol and diesel, others have maximum amounts customers can buy.
Aside from that, both the Leaving Cert Music and Junior Cycle Home Economics practical State examinations which were due to take place today have been deferred while Bus Éireann’s school transport buses are set to resume this morning.
Reaction
A number of organisations have been swift in their responses.
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) President Ger Hyland welcomed the supports and thanked his team for their hard work and commitment over what has been a challenging time for the industry, saying; “Myself, and our management committee, are unpaid volunteers who have negotiated in good faith with government over the past week. We feel we have delivered the best outcome that was possible for our members and the wider transport community. We feel that this package of supports is fair and balanced and will help to mitigate the worst effects of the rising fuel prices on what is a very hard working industry”
Macra‘s response was to welcome the €100m emergency package announced by the Government as a significant step in the right direction towards supporting young farmers and rural young people over the next five months. It had been calling for the development of a crisis response scheme and following direct engagement with the Minister for Agriculture over the weekend, during which the organisation highlighted the need for targeted support and concerns surrounding criteria of the proposals which may affect young farmer accessibility. The organisation welcomes the usage based support scheme and the confirmation of consideration for new entrants in the development of the scheme. While Macra recognises that the development of such a scheme will take time, President and Kilkenny woman Josephine O’Neill highlighted that swift and efficient delivery will be critical noting; “I welcome today’s announcement of the fuel support scheme which will provide critical support for our young farmers but remind the Government that time is of the essence in the development and delivery of this”.
The organisation had also called for the reduction of excise duty on agri-diesel, petrol and white diesel. “Our members have been struggling to make ends meet as a result of the ongoing crisis. Today’s announcement of a cut to excise duty on agri-diesel, petrol and white diesel will hopefully go a long way to relieving some of the pressures currently being faced”.
O’Neill also welcomed the Government’s deferral of the planned Carbon Tax increase, scheduled for May 1st, another key ask of the organisation during negotiations. However, she called on the Department of Agriculture to continue negotiations in relation the requested pause on Carbon Tax and CBAM tax on fertilisers.
Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot says; “The concessions that have been made by Government today represent an important intervention to address the considerable concerns of many businesses and households surrounding rising costs and the impact of inflated fuel prices over recent weeks. However, the chaos that has ensued on our roads, around our fuel depots, and in our town and city centres over the last few days has impacted business continuity and knocked public confidence.
“We are relieved that a compromise has been reached and that stability can hopefully be restored across the country. What we need now is for ongoing, constructive dialogue to continue.
“Government have listened and taken action in response to the public’s concern about fuel prices but they can’t continue to shield the economy if global disruption continues. Reciprocal concessions must now be made by protestors with the calm and coordinated end of all national blockades. This must be the beginning of a longer-term, sustainable approach to ensuring energy affordability and addressing the rising cost of doing business. Our economic resilience depends on it.”
Local Protests
Locally, protests may still continue at points of the M9 and M8 though KCLR News understands they’ve been temporarily called off while those involved consider their next potential move(s).
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Other such gatherings can’t yet be ruled out – hundreds of people turned out yesterday in Carlow and Kilkenny to voice their concerns, gathering at Carlow Retail Park and at Kilkenny Retail Park, before making their way to Potato Market and The Parade.
At the latter they joined a host of bikers and together moved through High Street before those on foot disbanded and those on wheels went on to join those gathered on the M9 at Danesfort.
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KCLR News’ Edwina Grace was there and spoke to some to find out why they felt compelled to get involved;
