Fuel demonstrations ‘holding the city to ransom’, says Dublin’s Lord Mayor
Demonstrations against high fuel prices have “moved well beyond protest now” and are holding the capital “to ransom”, said Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam.
The comments come as the protests, which block key arteries around the country and place fuel supplies to many forecourts around the country in jeopardy, enter their third consecutive day.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr McAdam said “everybody in a democratic society has the right to protest”.
“There is a level of understanding and support for the initial protest, but this has moved well beyond protest now. Our capital city has been held to ransom,” he said.
He said workers, carers and emergency services were having great difficulty going about their business and providing their services due to the blockades.
“I’m acutely aware of the Rotunda. I brought my wife there when she was in labour. I drove her there,” he said.
“The majority of those expectant mothers who go to the Rotunda don’t turn up in an ambulance, they turn up in a private vehicle or a cab, and I’m concerned about their ability to get to the Rotunda when they need to.”
He said his message for the protestors was that it’s “time to step down”.
“We have structures in this country that have enabled all of the sectors across the economy to talk with Government, the institutions of the state. Those institutions must now be allowed to advance and talk.”
Mr McAdam said he heard a number of protestors on the radio saying that they’re disappointed and annoyed with their elected representatives.
“Well, their anger and annoyance with the representatives does not justify closing down Dublin city centre. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
The protests have now dragged into their third day, with more significant disruption arising out of the blocking of oil refineries and fuel depots by protestors.
Protestors are seeking a meeting with Government, and a path towards significantly reduced fuel prices.
However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the protests have “gone far beyond the pale” and that he would be negotiating only with representative bodies.
The Taoiseach said “a gun can’t be put” to the Government’s head and asked protesters to reflect on what they are doing.
This follows an announcement earlier that the Defence Forces will remove protestors blocking fuel depots around the country.