Ireland’s Fuel Crisis Escalates as Protesters Demanding End to Carbon Tax
Ireland’s fuel crisis has escalated as protesters demanding suspension of the carbon tax have blocked access to a major oil refinery and fuel depots and the Government has called in the military.
Sky News has more.
Passengers travelling to or from Dublin Airport are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys as protests over high fuel prices in Ireland continue into a fourth day.
Farmers, lorry drivers and agricultural contractors began a series of demonstrations on Tuesday. They have evolved from slow-moving motorway convoys that restricted access to some of Dublin’s busiest streets to blockades of fuel depots.
The Irish Government will meet protesters on Friday to discuss the crisis, which was triggered by the rising cost of gas and diesel amid the knock-on effects of the Iran war.
Protesters have blocked access to a major oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork, as well as fuel depots in Galway City and Foynes, Co Limerick, raising concerns over panic buying at petrol stations.
More than 100 petrol stations have now run out of fuel. The figure could rise to five times as many by Friday evening if fuel supplies remain disrupted, national broadcaster RTE reported, citing the industry organisation Fuels for Ireland.
The Irish Government asked the army on Thursday to remove vehicles from blocked roads amid concerns they could impede police, firefighters and ambulances responding to emergencies.
Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) said the disruption was causing people to miss medical appointments and hitting the provision of home care and critical care, such as dialysis and cancer treatment.
Worth reading in full.
According to Liz Walsh in the Spectator, the protesters’ demands are to cap fuel at €1.75 a litre and suspend the carbon tax (something Sky oddly fails to mention). Permanently suspend, perhaps.