{"id":395820,"date":"2026-04-13T06:41:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/395820\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T06:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:41:07","slug":"some-traffic-disruption-remains-as-protesters-say-e505m-package-not-enough-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/395820\/","title":{"rendered":"Some traffic disruption remains as protesters say \u20ac505m package \u2018not enough\u2019 \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main PointsThe Government\u00a0has unveiled a \u20ac505m package<\/a> of supports\u00a0for farmers, hauliers and sectors impacted by fuel crisesThe measures were dismissed by some central figures in the recent protests as \u2018insulting\u2019 and \u2018not enough\u2019<\/a>Many blockades have been lifted from national roads, but some disruption remains on the M3 and M1<\/a>It could take days for supplies to be restored at all service stations Dublin Bus and Luas said they will operate full services<\/a> on MondayA tanker called Thun Gemini – which is carrying six million litres of fuel from Antwerp to Galway Port – has now dockedSinn F\u00e9in will put a motion of\u00a0no confidence in the Government over its handling of the fuel protest crisis\u00a0Best Reads<\/p>\n

Conor Pope – 22 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Motorway blockages on M1 and M3 ongoing <\/p>\n

While most of the blockades have been lifted there is stilll protests ongoing on the M1 between junction 13 Dunleer and junction 11 Monasterboice. There is also a full closure of theM3 at junction 9 Navan in both directions and significant delays are likely on these routes.<\/p>\n

Conor Pope – 55 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Warning that \u2018insulting\u2019 measures won\u2019t keep people off streets <\/p>\n

One of the leading fuel price protesters has said groups will continue targeting \u201cmajor infrastructure\u201d after an \u201cinsulting\u201d \u20ac505 million package of measures was announced by the Government, reports Ellen O\u2019Riordan.<\/p>\n

James Geoghegan, a Co Westmeath farmer, said O\u2019Connell Street in Dublin may not be on the agenda again as blockading there \u201cdoesn\u2019t really do much major harm\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said protesters will likely pick areas that have a bigger impact, such as \u201cmajor infrastructure\u201d because \u201cthis Government is not listening\u201d.<\/p>\n

A 2.4 cent reduction to a litre of green diesel was \u201cnothing\u201d, while 10 cent off a litre of petrol and regular diesel was \u201cnot enough\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n

John Dallon, another high-profile figure in the movement, said he did not think the Government\u2019s measures would keep people off the streets. <\/p>\n

The Co Kildare farmer, who was among a small group of protesters refused entry to a meeting with Ministers last Friday, said taking 2.4 cents a litre off green diesel was \u201can insult\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were telling us they were going to come out with a \u2018substantial\u2019 package. That is not a substantial package,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe public won\u2019t accept that, I think. It will only set more fuel on the fire\u201d.<\/p>\n

Conor Pope – 56 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Government to examine \u2018latitude\u2019 given to protesters <\/p>\n

Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin on Sunday night denied the Government\u2019s budget plans had gone out the window following the fuel measures although he did say there would be an impact on Budget 2027.<\/p>\n

He also said there would be an examination of the \u201clatitude\u201d given to protests and blockades in the early part of last week.<\/p>\n

And he added that the \u201cfull rigours of the law\u201d would be applied in future in the event of similar protests that \u201ctry to deny the free movement of goods and services\u201d.<\/p>\n

Fuel industry representatives have said supplies of diesel and petrol are flowing again but availability at service stations left without fuel since late last week will take about 10 days to return to normal.<\/p>\n

But there is better news for at least some commuters in Dublin city this morning<\/p>\n

The Luas will be operating as normal<\/p>\n

All Red and Green lines operating normally this morning.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Luas (@Luas) April 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

And so too will all Dubin Bus services<\/p>\n

Many blockades lifted from national routes <\/p>\n

Many of the fixed blockades along the motorway network, appear to have be lifted. <\/p>\n

However, on Sunday evening slow-moving convoys were causing traffic disruption. <\/p>\n

The most recent update from Transport Infrastructure Ireland on Sunday night said there were road closures in place on the M1, M8 and M11. <\/p>\n

Public transport and fuel supplies restart as relief measures rolled out<\/p>\n

While the fuel protests that blocked key infrastructure around the country have now ended and public transport in the capital is returning to normal following an almost week-long blockade of Dublin\u2019s O\u2019Connell St, there will be some aftershocks as a new week dawns, not least a motion of no confidence in the Government which is likely on Tuesday. <\/p>\n

Blockades at fuel depots in Cork, Limerick and Cork were stopped over the weekend, and O\u2019Connell St will fully reopen this morning but rolling protests could slow traffic on a number of roads around the country over the day.<\/p>\n

Just to catch you up, it was a busy Sunday on the political front, culminating in the announcement yesterday evening that the Government is to pay another half a billion euro in fuel supports after a week of protests and blockades led to severe diesel and petrol shortages.<\/p>\n

The \u20ac505 million package, announced after a Cabinet meeting was larger than expected and involves an extension of and increase to excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel.<\/p>\n

There will also be a delay to a planned rise in the carbon tax and multimillion euro schemes to support hauliers and agribusinesses.<\/p>\n

Excise reductions announced last month are to be extended to July 31st, while there will be a further 10 cent reduction in the rate charged on a litre of petrol and diesel.<\/p>\n

That takes the total cut in excise on petrol since the start of the crisis to 25 cent while the cut on diesel is slightly larger at 30 cent. <\/p>\n

Increases to the carbon tax due to come into force next month, have been postponed until budget day, while there will be a reduction of 2.4 cent on the price of a litre of green diesel.<\/p>\n

Key details of the support packageExtend temporary excise cuts and reductions in oil levies, approved last night, from their original intended stop date of 31st May until the end of JulyThere will be a further 10-cent reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel and a further 2.4-cent reduction on marked gas oil or green diesel \u2013 effective from midnight on Tuesday and needing Oireachtas approvalCarbon tax increases scheduled to take effect from May 1st until Budget day in OctoberA new support scheme for truckers \u2013 open to licensed hauliers and certain other operators, including local link and school transport services, running until 1st March. Payments to smaller firms will be proportionately greaterPayments under the trucker scheme, to be called the Road Transporters Support Scheme, will be made for April and May if the price of diesel exceeds \u20ac1.90 per litre in the month. The combined cost of the haulage scheme is \u20ac40 million