Fine Gael councillors have said they will “be supporting this protest” as nationwide fuel demonstrations continue across Ireland.
In social media posts and comments to Gript this morning, two Galway County councillors confirmed they would take part in the protests, which have been organised in response to rising fuel costs.
Cllr. Peter Keaveney, a Fine Gael councillor for Ballinasloe, said he would be attending a protest and called for immediate action on prices.
“I will be supporting this protest tomorrow,” he said in a social media post yesterday.
“Immediate action needed to address high fuel costs.”
Cllr. Andrew Reddington, a Fine Gael councillor for Tuam, also confirmed his support, pointing to the impact on multiple sectors.
“I will be supporting the protest for our hauliers, farmers, bus operators, taxis drivers, and all those who are struggling to go about their daily lives due to the current price of fuel,” he said.
“Further supports are needed for the industry ASAP.”
Reddington said he had been present with demonstrators in Galway from early morning, alongside other local representatives.
“Myself Cllr Peter Keavening and [Independent Ireland Galway Councillor] Declan Geraghty met with farmers, contractors and hauliers this morning at 6:00 a.m. in the West Wing in Tuam and continued to support them in Galway until now,” he said.
“They need to be looked after as they are currently struggling. Their ask is to cap green diesel at €1.00, white at €1.70, all including VAT.”
Asked by Gript if he had any thoughts on protestors’ calls to scrap carbon tax, he replied: “I don’t think they can scrap the carbon tax as it is used for the retrofitting schemes, but I do think that government can burden some costs to the hauliers and contractors – even on a temporary measure until things calm down.
“The people I spoke to today are every reasonable people they just need a break.”
As reported by Gript this morning, the protests have involved slow-moving convoys on major routes, with disruption reported on roads including the M1, N2, N3, N4, N7 and N11.
Organisers have said the demonstrations are intended to highlight the cost of fuel and call for measures such as price caps and changes to carbon taxation.
A spokesman for The People Of Ireland Against Fuel Prices described turnout as “massive” and said key routes into Dublin had been affected.
“The turnout is absolutely massive that I can see so far,” he said.
“I’m on all the WhatsApp groups there and there is absolutely hundreds blocking all M1, M4, M2, M7, M9, everything coming into the city is now at a standstill.”
Gardaí have advised motorists to allow additional time for journeys, with traffic management measures introduced in several areas.
Fuel prices have risen in recent weeks, with diesel reaching about €2.14 per litre and petrol around €1.91 per litre in parts of the country, amid global supply pressures linked to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Tánaiste Simon Harris is due to hold a meeting on energy issues this week, as the government faces continued pressure over fuel costs and taxation.