There were “certainly learnings” from the policing of fuel protests, the Tánaiste said, adding that security during the EU presidency will be “taken extremely seriously”.
The April protests – including blockades of Ireland’s only oil refinery and other key depots – strangled fuel distribution across the country and prompted an escalated policing response that resulted in several arrests amid clashes between public order units and protesters.
The Government announced hundreds of millions of euro in supports for industries severely affected by fuel prices, including cuts in excise duty on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil (“green diesel”) to the end of July.
It has been reported that participants – largely led by hauliers, farmers and agricultural workers – are considering further action to coincide with the ending of those supports.
