Irish government faces Dáil confidence motion after announcing €505m fuel support package
The Facts
- The Dáil is set to vote on a confidence motion in the government over its handling of the fuel crisis.
- The government announced a fuel support package worth about €505 million.
- The package includes a further 10 cent per litre cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel.
- The package includes a 2.4 cent per litre reduction on marked gas oil, also known as green diesel.
- The planned carbon tax increase due in May was deferred until the budget in October.
- The government said the package also includes targeted supports or direct payments for sectors including haulage, farming or agribusiness, and fisheries or transport operators.
- Fuel protests and blockades in recent days disrupted roads and key fuel infrastructure, contributing to fuel shortages or supply concerns.
- Some reports said blockades had been stood down or were easing after the government's announcement, though some protests were continuing.
Context
What measures are in the government's fuel package?
The package includes a further 10 cent per litre cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel, a 2.4 cent cut on green diesel, and a delay to the planned carbon tax increase until the October budget. It also includes targeted support schemes or direct payments for sectors such as haulage, farming, fisheries and some transport operators Irish Times,TheJournal.ie,Shannonside.
Why is there a confidence motion in the Dáil?
The motion is tied to the government's handling of the fuel crisis after days of protests and blockades that disrupted roads, ports and fuel infrastructure and drew opposition criticism that the response did not go far enough RTE.ie,Irish Times,TheJournal.ie.
Are the protests and blockades still ongoing?
Reports indicate the disruption had begun to ease, with some blockades at ports and the Whitegate refinery ending and some roads reopening, but other reports said some protests were continuing in parts of the country tipperarylive.ie,wlrfm.com,Extra.ie.
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Independent coverage (21)
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