“Army deployment is a dangerous miscalculation” - Offaly TD

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has condemned the government’s decision to authorise the deployment of the Army to remove fuel protesters, describing it as “a reckless escalation that will only further deepen the crisis.”

The Irish government has authorised the Defence Forces to intervene through the Defence Acts 1954–2015.

But the decision has been met with condemnation from many quarters including Deputy Nolan.

“This move will not only inflame the situation further, but it also totally misjudges the depth of public and business anger that is out there, despite the clearly acknowledged sense of frustration that many people have around the disruptions that are being caused,” said Deputy Nolan.”

“The frustration among ordinary consumers, drivers, businesses and farmers is at boiling point. Government must demonstrate a determined resolve to heed the sense of desperation that is out there and put the needs of our own people first by engaging in dialogue. They need to take off their ministerial hats and talk to these people as constituents and citizens, not paint them as social pariahs,” she added.

Deputy Nolan said she is finding the situation very difficult to comprehend.

“I find it deeply frustrating to see that government can literally commit €840 million to overseas development aid, sign effective blank cheques for Ukraine, spend billions accommodating economic migrants who are abusing the international protection system, and yet when its own people come knocking, they are told the well is dry and all they will get is the army removing them from streets. These protests are the logical end-point of a punitive tax regime that has bled hauliers, drivers, households and farmers and others dry for years. It must be fundamentally reformed, most notably around the carbon tax,” she said.

In finishing, Deputy Nolan said that sending in the army is “a dangerous miscalculation”.

“People are not blocking fuel depots for fun. This is not student union politics or theatrics. They are doing so because they can no longer afford to run their businesses, heat their homes or put food on the table. The Government needs to wake up, come to the table and deliver real, immediate relief on fuel costs and taxes instead of treating its own citizens as the enemy,” she concluded.