Clare’s Minister of State and the county’s opposition TD have clashed meanwhile over the Government’s response to the protest so far.
Even with the excise duty cuts introduced at the end of March, 55% of the price of a litre of petrol and diesel in Ireland is still going directly to the Government in tax.
Although the €250m support package was among the largest in the EU, it has been effectively eroded by rising prices.
However Clare’s Minister of State claims that reducing taxes further would require additional taxation elsewhere as Ireland’s expenditure has already been budgeted for this year.
Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister Timmy Dooley has also told Clare FM’s Morning Focus that he believes further price gouging would be likely if further state supports are introduced in a rushed and uncontrolled manner.
The Junior Minister for Agriculture also says HSE staff in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary have been in touch with “significant” concerns about the blockades.
Clare’s Opposition TD meanwhile has criticised the Government’s refusal to meet with the four leaders of the ad-hoc ‘Irish People Against Fuel Prices Group’ and has raised concerns over the deployment of the defence forces to deal with the protests.
This is despite the Government meeting with the Irish Road Haulage Association this week and planning further meetings with representative groups on Friday.
Shannon Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan believes the coalition needs to reconvene the Dáil and take charge of de-escalating protests.
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