Editorial: There may be no end in sight for protests

This week’s fuel protests are clearly rooted in how badly so many people are beginning to be affected by the huge rise in costs. There is huge anger and discontent out there and people are really felling the effects of all this. But the protests on Tuesday meant hundreds of hospital appointments were missed, along with flights and other important engagements. Is this the right way to protest fuel costs? Businesses couldn’t get deliveries out and many peoples’ freedom of movement was denied. There has to be a better way to protest than this? Ironically the go slow convoys of vehicles taking part in the parades and forcing other drivers to crawl along major roads and motorways caused a huge amount of fuel wastage too! These protests may go on for some time yet.

Even the news that Iran and the US have agreed a two week ceasefire will bring little respite. 2 weeks is not very long and there is a lag as to when cheaper oil prices lead to cheaper prices at the pumps. At least US President Donald Trump did delay his horrendous threat to send Iran back to the Stone Age by bombing the country’s civilian infrastructure. Yesterday protests continued at the N22 Macroom, the main Cork-Killarney road, as well as the M8 at Watergrasshill at J18 and the Dunkettle Interchange. Speaking outside Government buildings, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the protests at the moment “to prevent mobility, to prevent people from accessing livelihoods, medical appointments, disrupting day-to-day activities” are a wrong form of protest. He said yesterday’s Government meeting was focussed around supply given the disruption to gas and oil infrastructure. He added that Ireland has adequate oil reserves currently. The Chair of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC) of Ireland, David Conway said there is “no doubt that bus and coach operators are facing sustained and serious cost pressures, and are dealing with a very challenging operating environment. That said, the CTTC is not involved in the planning or coordination of this protest and we will not be taking part in it.

“We would ask protestors to keep bus lanes clear so that buses and coaches can move freely around the country and help keep Ireland moving,” he said.

“Our efforts remain firmly directed towards working with Government to seek practical measures that will assist our members during this period of exceptional cost inflation.” Unfortunately this situation and these protests could continue for some considerable amount of time.