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Protesters listen to speeches on O\u2019Connell Street in Dublin on the sixth day of the protests (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/p>\nSinn F\u00e9in will call a motion of no confidence in the Government after a week of major protests over the fuel crisis.<\/p>\n
The party’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said her party had met on Sunday morning and had decided to move the motion.<\/p>\n
Several of those engaged in protests \u2013 which involved blockades of critical infrastructure and severe disruption to the motorway network that strangled fuel distribution in the country \u2013 had sought such a move.<\/p>\n
The Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and Independent Ireland have said they would back the motion, while Labour and the Greens \u2013 while heavily criticising the Government \u2013 said they would consider the text before making a decision.<\/p>\n
Protesters listen to speeches on O\u2019Connell Street in Dublin on the sixth day of the protests (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/p>\n
Minister of State Timmy Dooley said the Government would set out how its response best \u201cmet the needs and expectations of society\u201d.<\/p>\n
He told RT\u00c9 Radio One\u2019s This Week: \u201cThere\u2019s no government anywhere in the world that\u2019s going to be able to respond to all of the negative impacts as a result of the war in Iran, and the impact that that has had on the supply of goods, the supply of oil and the spiraling cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we have to try to do is manage our way through that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The protesters wanted Government to take urgent action to reduce fuel and other operating costs for businesses in the transport and agricultural sectors.<\/p>\n
Ministers in the coalition are due to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting at 4pm on Sunday to sign off on a \u201csubstantial\u201d package following talks with established representative bodies \u2013 which excluded the protesters.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael formed a coalition with the support of several independent TDs which represent rural constituencies.<\/p>\n
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Dublin fuel protest spokesman Christopher Duffy (Cillian Sherlock\/PA)<\/p>\n
Christopher Duffy, a spokesman for the Dublin blockade, called for a no-confidence motion and said \u201cthe power lies with’ rural TDs and independents’ propping up the Government\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald criticised the coalition Government and said: \u201cThe actions of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and independents have been disastrous.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of a Cabinet meeting which is expected to sign off on supports relating to the cost of fuel, Ms McDonald added: \u201cAll reports indicate it will be more of the same half-measures from them this evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is unacceptable. We need the maximum reductions now, as proposed by Sinn F\u00e9in weeks ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
The party had called for \u201cthe maximum action necessary to cut fuel prices so they are affordable for the workers, families, and sectors that rely on them\u201d.<\/p>\n
![\"Garda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776045191_196_sinn-fein-to-call-motion-of-no-confidence-on-government-over-fuel-costs.jpg\")
Garda on O\u2019Connell Street in Dublin following an overnight police operation to remove fuel protesters (Cillian Sherlock\/PA)<\/p>\n
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said the party had repeatedly demanded that the Government introduce a targeted \u20ac400 energy credit, as well as other support measures to \u201cgive people who are really struggling some relief\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThe Social Democrats have no confidence in this Government\u2019s ability to manage this crisis, and \u2013 for that reason \u2013 we will support the no-confidence motion in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Independent Ireland said: \u201cThe handling of the protests has been tone-deaf, condescending and, at times, inflammatory rather than conciliatory.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor these reasons and many others, we believe this Government has failed, and we have no confidence in its ability to continue.\u201d<\/p>\n
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