Taoiseach Micheál Martin has accused Opposition parties of supporting the blockade of ports and the country’s only oil refinery last week which almost led to a scarcity of fuel in the country.
Tomorrow, the Dáil is set to vote on a confidence motion in the Government over its ongoing handling of the fuel crisis.
There will also be direct fuel payments to hauliers, bus operators, farmers, agricultural contractors and those involved in fisheries.
The big move by the Government was a further 10c cut in excise duty on both petrol and diesel to the end of July.
There will also be a new reduction of 2.4c on green diesel.
Carbon tax increases have been delayed until the Budget in October.
Tractors on O’Connell Street in Dublin yesterday
Already some farming, haulier and bus operator representatives have welcomed the Government announcement.
But in the Dáil this week, Sinn Féin will table a no confidence motion in the Government who it accused of failing to accept the scale of the crisis.
It has the support of other Opposition parties but the Government has the numbers to vote confidence in itself tomorrow.
Last night, a garda spokesperson said O’Connell Street is expected to reopen this morning.
But the spokesperson said the declaration of an “exceptional event” had been extended.
An exceptional event is invoked when An Garda Síochána is dealing with an emergency or unforeseen event and it allows the cancellation of rest days and the redeployment of officers to other areas as required.
Watch: Blockades put Ireland within two days of losing refining capacity – Taoiseach
Sinn Féin stands with ‘ordinary people the length and breadth of country’ – Doherty
Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said that the motion of no confidence in the Government is about bringing the voice of the people into the Dáil.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said it is very clear that the Government is “still not prepared to actually make the necessary steps and take the necessary steps to make fuel affordable”.
Mr Doherty said his party stood with “ordinary people the length and breadth of the country” in protesting against the cost of fuel.
He said that his party “supported the people” and for many people while the protests were about fuel, it was also about cost-of-living increases across the board.
Mr Doherty said “people were forced to take to the streets because of the Government’s inaction and a Government who basically dug its heels [in] and forced what we have seen as unprecedented protests right across the State”.
He said that the Government made matters worse.
“They went from insulting people to demeaning them, to threatening them with the Army, to refusing to talk to people and try and resolve this.
“And that’s why over the days, we see more and more people, ordinary people, fathers and mothers out and saying that they’ve had enough,” added Mr Doherty.
Ireland was one of first countries to respond to global fuel crisis – McEntee
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee said Ireland was one of the first countries to respond to the global fuel crisis and the cumulative package of over three quarters of a billion euro is the highest per capita in Europe.
Speaking on the same programme, Ms McEntee denied accusations that this is a ‘put together package’ and said the Government had engaged strongly with many sectors in order to ensure everyone is helped.
“Government have from the very outset of what is a global crisis – a conflict happening in the Middle East, something that’s impacting not just Ireland, but every other country – have been very clear that we want to support people.
“That’s why the initial package of €250m that was announced a couple of weeks ago, we said very clearly, was initial and that we wanted to do more.”
Ms McEntee said the situation is a very difficult one for everyone because of the extremely volatile global situation.
However, she added, there should have been a price drop at the pumps last week when the Iran ceasefire came into play but this was not seen because of the blockades.
Govt misread situation, says Independent Ireland TD
The leader of Independent Ireland said the Government misread the situation three weeks ago and the proposed package of measures will not result in any direct payment into people’s pockets.
Michael Collins said he supported peaceful protests last week that were designed to “make the Government wake up” and understand the crisis in the country.
The TD for Cork South West said he also supported blockades last week, although Independent Ireland did not call for them.
As long as people are protesting peacefully, I will support them, he said.
He said Independent Ireland will support Sinn Féin’s motion of no confidence.
Mr Collins said he had urged protesters in Portlaoise to “hold off” as talks continue.