Government to face no confidence motion over fuel costs

Ireland’s largest opposition party will call a motion of no confidence in the Government after a week of major protests over the fuel crisis.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said her party had met on Sunday morning and had decided to move the motion.

Several of those engaged in protests – which involved blockades of critical infrastructure and severe disruption to the motorway network that strangled fuel distribution in the country – had sought such a motion.

The protesters want the Government to take urgent action to reduce fuel and other operating costs for businesses in the transport and agricultural sectors.

Ministers in the coalition are due to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting at 4pm on Sunday to sign off on a “substantial” package following talks with established representative bodies – which excluded the protesters.

Over Saturday and Sunday, An Garda Siochana escalated its enforcement of the protests and deployed Public Order Units to clear blockades at an oil refinery, a depot in Galway, and a main road in Dublin city centre.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael formed a coalition with the support of several independent TDs which represent rural constituencies.

Christopher Duffy, a spokesman for the Dublin blockade, called for a no confidence motion and said “the power lies with” rural TDs and independents “propping up the Government”.

Ms McDonald criticised the coalition Government and said: “The actions of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and independents have been disastrous.

“They have lost the confidence of the public. It is clear that they still are not listening and do not accept the scale of this fuel and cost-of-living crisis.”

Ahead of a Cabinet meeting which is expected to sign off on supports relating to the cost of fuel, Ms McDonald added: “All reports indicate it will be more of the same half-measures from them this evening.

“This is unacceptable. We need the maximum reductions now, as proposed by Sinn Fein weeks ago.”

The party had called for “the maximum action necessary to cut fuel prices so they are affordable for the workers, families and sectors that rely on them”.

People Before Profit and Independent Ireland said the parties will support the motion of no confidence.

Independent Ireland said: “The handling of the protests has been tone-deaf, condescending, and, at times, inflammatory rather than conciliatory.

“For these reasons, and many others, we believe this Government has failed, and we have no confidence in its ability to continue.”

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Government to face no confidence motion over fuel costs

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