A “significant and enhanced support package” is being finalised in detail to alleviate the burden of increased fuel prices on affected sectors, Government has announced this Friday evening.
The news comes following the conclusion of talks with representatives of farming, haulage, contractor and freight organisations who met with Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and junior ministers at their departments on Friday.
Representatives of those protesting were not allowed into the meeting.
“Ministers expressed their understanding of the seriousness of the situation and the pressures being experienced by farmers, contractors and transport operators.
“They emphasised the Government’s commitment to supporting those affected and acknowledged the need for swift and targeted action,” a statement from Government said.
Protesters at the Irving Oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork. \ Donal O' Leary
Ministers stressed that constructive engagement with stakeholders will continue over the weekend and will reconvene again on Saturday to finalise the details of the response.
Tánaiste
Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Tánaiste Simon Harris called on protesters to end the blockade.
When asked if Government would place a price cap on fuel, the Tánaiste said that “price caps don’t work”.
He said all they mean is that the “price transfers from forecourt to taxpayer”.
Government’s position has been crystal clear, he said, adding that it will only engage with “democratically elected bodies”.
“We can’t have a situation where we engage with people who are blockading,” he said.
“To the people engaged in the blockades today, please, please, step back from the brink,” he said, stating that the blockades were causing economic damage to the country.
“We’re at a very dangerous economic moment,” he said. Harris said that the country “cannot and will not tolerate a situation where fuel cannot get to key parts of our country”.
A “significant and enhanced support package” is being finalised in detail to alleviate the burden of increased fuel prices on affected sectors, Government has announced this Friday evening.
The news comes following the conclusion of talks with representatives of farming, haulage, contractor and freight organisations who met with Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and junior ministers at their departments on Friday.
Representatives of those protesting were not allowed into the meeting.
“Ministers expressed their understanding of the seriousness of the situation and the pressures being experienced by farmers, contractors and transport operators.
“They emphasised the Government’s commitment to supporting those affected and acknowledged the need for swift and targeted action,” a statement from Government said.
Protesters at the Irving Oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork. \ Donal O' Leary
Ministers stressed that constructive engagement with stakeholders will continue over the weekend and will reconvene again on Saturday to finalise the details of the response.
Tánaiste
Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Tánaiste Simon Harris called on protesters to end the blockade.
When asked if Government would place a price cap on fuel, the Tánaiste said that “price caps don’t work”.
He said all they mean is that the “price transfers from forecourt to taxpayer”.
Government’s position has been crystal clear, he said, adding that it will only engage with “democratically elected bodies”.
“We can’t have a situation where we engage with people who are blockading,” he said.
“To the people engaged in the blockades today, please, please, step back from the brink,” he said, stating that the blockades were causing economic damage to the country.
“We’re at a very dangerous economic moment,” he said. Harris said that the country “cannot and will not tolerate a situation where fuel cannot get to key parts of our country”.
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