DUBLIN, April 12 (Reuters) - Irish police cleared tractors and trucks on Sunday that had been blocking traffic in central Dublin for five days in a protest against surging fuel prices as the
Irish police clear blockades as Dublin acts to soften fuel price blow
Government Response and Public Reaction to Fuel Price Protests in Ireland
By Conor Humphries
Police Action Against Blockades
DUBLIN, April 12 (Reuters) - Irish police on Sunday cleared tractors and trucks that had been blocking traffic and blockading oil infrastructure across the country during a wave of protests against surging fuel prices.
Government Measures to Address Fuel Price Surge
Spending Increases and Tax Cuts
In a bid to ease the discontent, the government announced 500 million euros ($586 million) worth of spending increases and tax cuts to soften the impact on consumers and businesses.
Scope and Impact of the Protests
Protesters, angered by a more than 20% rise in diesel prices since the outbreak of the Iran war nL6N40S1FU, had used vehicles nL8N40R116 to block an oil refinery, two ports, a fuel terminal and Irish roads.
The protests caused major transport disruption in Dublin and left about a third of Ireland's petrol stations without fuel, creating what Finance Minister Simon Harris described as a "very dangerous moment" for the country.
Resolution of Blockades
Police removed vehicles blocking nL1N40U04B access to Ireland's only oil refinery on Saturday and cleared a blockade of Galway Port, a major fuel depot, and removed roadblocks in Dublin on Sunday.
Negotiations and Further Government Actions
Refusal to Negotiate with Protesters
The government has refused to negotiate with the protesters, who included farmers, drivers and contractors, who complained that an earlier 250 million euro package nL1N40C0KB to temporarily cut taxes on petrol and diesel did not go far enough.
New Measures Announced
Fuel Price Reductions and Subsidies
But after talks with agricultural and transport industry groups, Dublin announced measures including a 10 cent per litre reduction for diesel and petrol and a delay in an increase in a carbon tax. A fuel subsidy support scheme will also be introduced for farming and fisheries, the government said.
Public Opinion on the Protests
A poll in the Sunday Independent newspaper showed that 56% of voters surveyed supported the protesters, but that most supporters of the two governing parties opposed them.
($1 = 0.8533 euros)
(Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by David Holmes and Alexander Smith)
