Sir, – The Government can say all it likes that the recent fuel blockades “didn’t work”. The €500 million package announced immediately afterwards suggests otherwise (“Government to raid exchequer surplus for €505m support package“, April 12th).
What is more troubling than the disruption itself is the precedent now set. A loosely organised protest apparently mobilised at speed through social media and succeeded in extracting a very substantial fiscal response. That fact will not be lost on others. A new template has now been established – block first, negotiate later.
The deeper problem is not one of public order or political tactics, but one of climate reality. Every cent shaved off fuel costs increases consumption and pushes Ireland further from its already distant emissions obligations.
We are, by the Government’s own figures, facing potential compliance costs in the tens of billions. Those costs will not be borne by protesters or lobby groups; they will fall on the public at large.
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In that context, the notion that fuel subsidies can be expanded while climate obligations remain intact is untenable. We cannot simultaneously claim to be addressing a climate emergency and make fossil-fuel consumption cheaper whenever pressure mounts.
In his letter, David Campbell (Letters, April 13th) is correct to challenge the mythology that often surrounds certain sectors, but the issue now goes beyond any one industry. It is about whether policy is being developed in response to long-term national obligations or short-term political pressure.
If this episode teaches anything, it is that Ireland is at serious risk of drifting into a system where the most disruptive voices set the agenda and where climate commitments are the first casualty. –Yours, etc,
PAUL O’SHEA,
Planet Before Profit CLG,
Shankill,
Dublin 18.
A wake-up call for Government
Sir, – Irish people are renowned for their patience and ability to forgive their political masters ad infinitum. We endured footing the bill for the banking scandal and the indignity of the Troika coming to town with not a murmur. We endured one of the longest draconian lock-up measures during Covid.
The incompetence once again coupled with unbridled arrogance has finally stirred a very patient people.
I suspect tinkering with various tax rates will not put the genie back in the bottle. A very radical overhaul of the governing classes is long overdue, starting with remembering that we are your masters, not the other way around. – Yours, etc,
JOSEPH LEAKE,
Douglas,
Cork.
Protests were an attack on democracy
Sir, – The Government are to be thanked for their handling of last week’s fuel protests. These weren’t peaceful protests. Weaponising vehicles – many as big as tanks – against the population in order to have their demands met was an attack on our democracy. In standing firm and not kowtowing to bullying, our Government have safeguarded that democracy. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN QUIGLEY,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.
Gardaí played a blinder
Sir, – What a masterful display of policing by An Garda Síochána. They did not seek to confront the protesters when passions were at their highest.
Instead, they allowed passions to dissipate and when weariness had set in, they moved swiftly and decisively to remove the blockades.
They were wise to ignore some of the comments of senior ministers which would have inflamed a volatile situation. – Yours, etc,
PAUL WALSH,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.
Returning to US with a feeling of sadness
Sir, – Today I fly back to the United States with my family after 10 days travelling, or rather attempting to travel, around Ireland.
We were so happy to leave all the US politics behind. Our trip got off to a fine start at the Easter Rising commemoration at the GPO in Dublin. It was so respectful and solemn.
Just a week later and reality has set in. So many plans changed due to the blockades. So many beautiful places we were unable to see. So much Irish history we were unable to experience. So many Irish people, with their delightful senses of humour, we were unable to meet.
So we leave now with some wonderful memories – but also some sadness and a sense of loss of what we missed.
We have no dog in this fight, but it is worth acknowledging that none of the fuel issues here would exist without the senseless war our president started.
Ireland remains a place we love to visit. We look forward to a future trip with all the benefits of free movement. - Yours, etc,
STEPHEN GLADSTONE,
Cleveland,
Ohio.
Trump and fuel protesters combine for chaos
Sir, – We live in strange times. I never thought I would feel sympathy for the despotic Iranian regime. And I never thought I would feel support for the current Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael Government.
But the chaotic actions of US president Donald Trump and the Irish fuel protesters have caused me to revisit my priorities somewhat. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN KELLY,
Dublin 14.
How did Government not foresee fuel problems?
Sir, – It is difficult to understand how nobody associated with our Government anticipated fuel-price hikes due to war in the Middle East.
Such inactivity by Government is unforgivable. They knew rising fuel costs would be catastrophic for hauliers, agricultural contractors and other large consumers of diesel.
A simple holding statement that financial help was coming – which it is now – could have avoided the mayhem of the past week.
Good management of any enterprise requires anticipation of problems ahead. Regrettably, this Government lacks basic understanding of that fact. – Yours, etc,
JOHN M NOLAN,
Kincora Grove,
Dublin 3.
