Week of protests in Offaly ends as Government hangs on

The most significant public protests held in Offaly in many years wound down at the beginning of this week when a blockade on the N52 Tullamore bypass, prompted by the sharp rise in the cost of fuel, was lifted.

While a "rolling protest" was convened in Cloghan on Monday afternoon, the bulk of the protest activity that had been ongoing in Offaly and across the country since Tuesday, April 8, came to an end this week.

The protests, which involved farmers, hauliers and others, had caused significant traffic disruption in Tullamore and other areas of the county such as Mucklagh, Cloghan, Birr and Banagher.

The de-escalation of the protests came in the aftermath of Sunday's announcement of a new €505 million package of fuel costs supports which includes cuts to excise rates and the deferral of a planned increase in the rate of carbon tax.

It followed on from an earlier Government package of €250 million in supports, which was announced last month but soon came to be viewed as inadequate.

When a confidence vote on the Government was held in the Dáil on Tuesday, Fine Gael's John Clendennen and Fianna Fáil's Tony McCormack maintained their support for the current administration, while Independent Carol Nolan voted no confidence in the Micheál Martin-led Government.

Speaking in the Dáil about the fuel costs crisis on Tuesday, Deputy Nolan said she was "delighted to stand with my constituents" at the protests, describing those involved as "decent people who have worked hard and are very frustrated".

She added: "I met groups in Birr, Tullamore and Cloghan. Many self-employed people told me they just cannot keep going. Only today, I met a young businessperson who told me his business will be gone next week. This is shameful.

"The Government has neglected the working people of this country and squandered Irish taxpayers' money. When they want some of their own money back, they have to come, kicking, begging and screaming, for their own money and for assistance."

Deputy Nolan also criticised the Taoiseach for what she said was his failure to meet with those who were out protesting.

"Why was the Government not out meeting them? Why was the Taoiseach not out in Cork meeting his constituents? That would have been true leadership," she said.

"I am absolutely appalled. I am here to stand up and serve my constituents in Offaly. This is certainly something that will never be forgotten. The Government will reap the benefit at the ballot box."

Appearing on Virgin Media television's 'The Tonight Show' on Wednesday, Deputy John Clendennen defended the Government's response on the issue.

"I've listened to people over the last week, and prior to that, in relation to concerns around the cost of living and the viability of business," the local TD said.

"Really what came to a head last week was not just fuel but the financial pressures on people in general. I've met with farmers, I've met with contractors, I've met with hauliers, all saying the same thing.

"When we initially made the supports announcement in March, before the Easter recess, we made it perfectly clear that we'd be back again with more supports, and we gave an element of certainty to those sectors."

Deputy Clendennen added that the Government had "introduced a number of measures to assist people right across society, whether it be at the pumps, fuel allowance, deferring carbon tax... if you look at the last 5 or 6 years and the crises that we've had to deal with, in relation to Covid and the energy crisis, we haven't been found wanting".