Fuel price protests look set to take place across Northern Ireland on Tuesday.
The PSNI has said that it will be “monitoring the situation” following social media calls and noted that a policing response “has been prepared” to ensure public safety.
On Saturday, a small convoy of lorries protested in Strabane while a handful of vehicles gathered in Enniskillen on Friday.
Read more: Why are Northern Ireland fuel protests being held?
A protest which was due to take place in Derry on Monday morning did not appear to materialise.
Meanwhile, eight potential locations have been identified for protests on Tuesday, with HGV drivers and farmers encouraged to take part.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the potential protests.
When and where are they expected to take place?
A call on social media has identified eight locations across the north as sites for potential protests on April 14 at 2pm.
These include the Westlink in Belfast, Sprucefield in Lisburn, Larne Harbour, Nutt’s Corner, the Sandyknowes Roundabout in Mallusk, the Toome Bridge on the A6 and Omagh town centre and Ballygawley Roundabout on the A5.
There were also calls for a protest on Monday at 8am from Greysteel to the Culmore Roundabout in Derry – however this did not materialise.
Fuel prices in Glengormley on April 8 PICTURE: SAOIRSE CAMPBELL
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said that while he understood demonstrations were being planned, he was “not sure who is organising the protests” nor aware of “the reasoning behind these timings”.
“Regardless, I would urge that any protest is carried out safely and with consideration for others,” he said.
“We need urgent, practical solutions to support workers, families, and essential services before the situation worsens further.”
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said that it was aware “protests are likely to take place at a number of locations across Northern Ireland on Tuesday, April 14″.
“NIAS would like to reassure the public that every effort is being made to maintain health and social care services as far as possible,” they added.
NIAS said that it would reassure the public that “every effort is being made to maintain health and social care services as far as possible” PICTURE: CLAUDIA SAVAGE/PA
“If there is any disruption to services, then local providers will advise patients and service users accordingly.
“The safety of both staff and patients remains our priority, and we would ask that emergency service vehicles are not impeded by any protests.”
Why are they being held?
The protests are being held in response to the rising price of fuel.
Since the beginning of the US-Israeli war in Iran, global oil prices have skyrocketed.
As a result, the cost of buying fuel at the petrol pumps or oil for home heating have also risen.
Protests have included slow-moving convoys on motorways and parked vehicles, such as those pictured on O’Connell Street in Dublin city centre PICTURE: BRIAN LAWLESS/PA
A poster for the protests says that they intend to “bring the country to a standstill”.
During a protest in Strabane on Saturday, some of the vehicles carried signs calling for cuts to excise duty and other fuel taxes, as well as a cap on prices.
In the Republic, the protests have called for a cap on kerosene and diesel as well as the interim removal of carbon tax and excise duty.
Fuel duties in Northern Ireland are reserved matters for the UK Government and are not controlled by the Executive.
Last week, Stormont’s economy minister Caoimhe Archibald called on the UK government to reduce fuel duty “as a matter of urgency”.
A convoy of vehicles taking part in a fuel protest through Strabane on Saturday afternoon. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN
The Ulster Farmer’s Union (UFU) said it was “aware of the planned protest but is not involved in organising it”.
Meanwhile the Road Haulage Association also said that it did not have any involvement in organising the protests.
“Instead we’re calling on the government to scrap planned fuel duty increases and to introduce an Essential User Rebate for haulage, coach and van operators to reduce the costs of moving people and goods,” a spokesperson said.
What will they look like?
Fuel protests in the Republic have consisted mostly of lorries and tractors parked up on main thoroughfares or slow-moving convoys.
A protest in Strabane over the weekend consisted of a slow-moving convoy of around a dozen lorries.
Last week, tractors blocked O’Connell Street in Dublin city centre, while traffic was brought to a standstill at around 20 other locations across the country.
What has the response been to similar protests seen in the Republic?
Taoiseach Michéal Martin said that a blockade of an oil refinery in Co Cork on Wednesday as part of the protests was “an act of national sabotage”.
He also described the blocking of traffic in Dublin city centre as “wrong” and said that those breaking the law would be penalised.
“To prevent mobility, to prevent people from accessing livelihoods, medical appointments, disrupting day-to-day activities in the manner that has happened, is wrong and is a wrong form of protest,” he said.
On Thursday, the government announced that the Irish military would be deployed to ease blockages to “critical infrastructure”.