Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today called on those staging an ongoing protest at the site of the Shell terminal at Bellanaboy to disassociate themselves from "aggressive influences from outside".
Addressing a TEEU conference in Dundalk, Mr Kenny he had heard shocking reports about the activities of some of the protesters at Bellanaboy.
Mr Kenny said while he respected the right of people to protest lawfully "those involved have a clear responsibility to respect the right of people to go to work".
"I call on those members of the local community who are engaged in peaceful protest to disassociate themselves from the troublemakers."
"The safety of both the Gardaí and protesters is being put at risk and it appears that this violence is being orchestrated by outside forces who have no connection with the local community.
"Their activities are also tying up significant Garda resources at a time when they are badly needed elsewhere. I call on those members of the local community who are engaged in peaceful protest to disassociate themselves from the troublemakers.
"I hope that it will be possible to negotiate an agreed re-routing of the gas pipeline which addresses the concerns of the local community, he said.
He also told delegates that while Fine Gael supports the partnership process, it has not believe it has delivered meaningful public service reform.
Mr Kenny also said that Ireland is the sixth most oil-dependent country in the world and needed structural and regulatory reform of the electricity market."
"In terms of electricity, we're just as vulnerable. Lack of investment in generation, and poor performance among existing generators, leave us bottom of the EU league, in terms of spare generation capacity above peak demand. . . Since 2000 the cost of electricity in the EU 15 went up 29 per cent."