Talks to resume as Irish fuel protests enter fifth day

The Irish Government is to re-enter talks on Saturday aimed at defusing protests which have strangled the distribution of fuel around the country.

A series of protests, which have involved blockades at key fuel distribution sites, are continuing for a fifth consecutive day after a crunch meeting on Friday failed to end with concrete proposals.

There were fears that around a third of Ireland’s 1,500 filling stations would have run dry by morning as protesters engaged in a blockade of the country’s only oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork, as well as key depots in Galway and Foynes, Co Limerick.

There have also been concerns about fuel shortages leading to curtailments on the provision of emergency services and the delivery of vital goods – while the National Emergency Coordination Group urged the public to only buy the fuel they need.

The protests, which have also seen slow-moving convoys and outright stoppages on major motorways as well as a blockade on Dublin city’s main thoroughfare, began on Tuesday over the cost of fuel.

Participants include professional drivers, farmers and hauliers as well as taxi and bus operators.

Many official representative groups recognised by Government have expressed sympathy with the cause but have said they have not been involved in organising the protests.

A commitment from the coalition on Friday night to deliver a “substantial” package of measures on fuel costs was not enough to dissuade protesters from continuing blockades.

Christopher Duffy, a spokesman for the grouping in Dublin city centre, said the protest would continue until there was a “serious reduction in our costs”.

Meanwhile, ministers said the Irish Defence Forces are “on standby” to help the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, remove blockades at critical infrastructure.

An Garda Siochana internally declared an “exceptional event”, allowing it to designate every member available for duty over the weekend.