Meetings are underway at Government Buildings as ministers prepare for a rare Sunday Cabinet session aimed at approving urgent supports for hauliers, farmers, and the wider agri-food sector amid escalating fuel price protests nationwide.
Government party leaders were also briefed by the Minister for Justice on the ongoing Garda operation to dismantle protest blockades that have disrupted key transport routes and fuel supply points over recent days.
The emergency Cabinet meeting, scheduled for later this evening, is expected to focus on financial relief measures designed to stabilise supply chains and ease pressure on businesses affected by rising fuel costs. Sunday Cabinet meetings are unusual and typically reserved for periods of national disruption or crisis.
One of the main proposals under consideration is a direct support package for hauliers, similar to assistance schemes introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Officials are also expected to extend the diesel rebate scheme beyond its current June deadline, a move seen as crucial for the transport sector.
Support measures for farmers and the fishing industry are also on the agenda, with attention likely to be placed on improving access to credit and easing cash flow pressures that have intensified in recent weeks.
The Government is also examining the possibility of further excise duty reductions on fuel and oil. However, any decision in this area is understood to depend on discussions with the European Commission regarding regulatory flexibility.
Protests opposing high fuel prices have now entered their sixth consecutive day, with organisers calling for immediate and substantial government intervention. They argue that current fuel costs are unsustainable and are threatening the viability of businesses across multiple sectors.
Authorities have been working to clear blockades at key sites, with Gardaí conducting coordinated operations in several locations over the past 24 hours. The disruption has already affected fuel distribution, with reports of shortages at filling stations in parts of the country.
The Government is hoping the proposed package will ease tensions and restore normal supply operations, particularly as schools reopen tomorrow, increasing traffic pressure and logistical demands nationwide.
However, political pressure on the coalition is also mounting. Sinn Féin has confirmed it will table a motion of no confidence in the Government next week. Following a party meeting this morning, Sinn Féin criticised the administration for what it described as a failure to acknowledge the severity of the crisis.
Opposition figures have suggested that any measures announced this evening will fall short of what is required to resolve the situation, raising questions about whether the planned interventions will be enough to bring an end to the protests.
