Ireland facing 'very severe' situation due to protester fuel blockades, PM says
Protesters in Ireland demanding government action on surging fuel prices used tractors and trucks to block a port, fuel terminal and oil refinery for a fourth day on Friday, prompting the prime minister to warn the country may have to turn away fuel deliveries.
Blockades of Irish oil infrastructure, triggered by a more than 20% rise in diesel prices since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war, have created a very severe situation that will damage the economy, Micheal Martin said on Friday.
Industry group Fuels for Ireland said more than 100 petrol stations had run out of fuel and that number could rise to 500 by tonight.
"The situation is very severe now. I don't think people out there perhaps realize the gravity of the situation," Martin told RTE in an interview.
"We are now on the precipice of turning oil away from the country," he said, citing a tanker that was unable to unload at Galway Port and a halt in refining at the Whitegate oil refinery near Cork.
"It is unconscionable, it is illogical, it is difficult to comprehend."
Martin said the police and army were on standby to help clear the protests if necessary and said that "very clearly the law will be upheld." But he also called for dialogue to resolve the issue.
Delivery firm DPD said it was suspending services in Ireland on Saturday due to the protests.
The government last month announced a €250-MM ($293.2-MM) package to temporarily cut taxes on petrol and diesel to cushion the knock-on cost of the Middle East conflict, but protesters have called for stronger measures, including a price cap.
($1 = €0.8528)
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