‘Unacceptable’ - Kilkenny TD speaks out against actions of fuel protestors

Protests over the cost of fuel are continuing in Kilkenny and nationwide with convoys of heavy vehicles blocking motorways and fuel depots, leading to fears of forecourts running dry in the coming hours.

The demonstrations have split public opinion with some deeming the approach necessary to spur government action on providing relief to affected businesses while others have strongly criticised the disruption to everyday life and blocking of important infrastructure.

The protests have now entered a third day and the alarming escalation has led to gardaí and army being called in to remove blockades.

Speaking to The Kilkenny People, Fianna Fáíl TD for Carlow/Kilkenny and party spokesperson for rural affairs, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere stressed the importance of the right to peaceful protest, but believes the current situation has gone too far.

“When you’re stopping people from going about their daily jobs, which in turn means that there’s people in Kilkenny today that can’t get petrol or diesel for their car; that’s not right, I absolutely don’t agree with that,” Deputy Cleere said.

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“I have no problem with protesting, I’m very understanding of the situation they find themselves in but in terms of blocking critical infrastructure; that’s unacceptable and that’s a non-negotiable for me,” he added.

The main associations representing hauliers and farmers have distanced themselves from the current blockades leaving a lack of a clear leadership structure in the movement. 

The Government has rebuffed requests to speak with representatives of the protestors with Taoiseach Micheál Martin reaffirming on RTÉ Radio 1 on Thursday morning that there would be no meeting.

When asked whether the Government should do more to engage, Deputy Cleere referenced the unclear nature of the protests’ organisation.

“Engage with who?” he retorted. “The Government will deal with whatever representative groups there are. All the farming organisations for example are meeting the Minister tomorrow, which is a relevant channel to try and negotiate a package for the sector.”

“People say ‘well you’re not sitting down and meeting with people.’ But who are the people? If the protestors say ‘we just need a phone call,’ who needs a phone call? Who are you representing?”

“The appropriate channel is through the relevant representational body and that’s what the Government will be dealing with, not with an individual who says he’s speaking on behalf of the people of Ireland,” Deputy Cleere continued.

Panic buying has set in throughout the day and concerns over the flow of food supply are growing due to the sustained blockade of ports with cases of people missing flights and important health care appointments also being reported.

In the important upcoming hours, Deputy Cleere is hoping for movement in access to ports and productive meetings with official representative bodies.

“First of all, I would hope that the ports will open and that the oil can get in and out and not have situations where forecourts run dry.”

“Secondly, is in terms of the consultations with relevant authorities, not with individual sole traders, to come up with a solution that’s going to help farmers, hauliers, bus operators and businesses given the crises that we’re in,” he concluded.

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Article funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme