Irish government announces reduction in petrol and diesel tax after protests over high fuel prices

(Patria) - The Irish government announced new reductions in petrol and diesel taxes at an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday, following protests over fuel prices that threatened the functioning of emergency services in the country.

Since Tuesday, hauliers and agricultural contractors have launched a series of protests due to the skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel following the war in the Middle East, AFP reports.

"As a government, we hear you," said Finance Minister Simon Harris at a press conference. "We have acted and we are taking further measures today," he added.

The announced reductions include a ten-cent-per-litre cut on both diesel and petrol, and a planned carbon tax increase will be postponed from May to the budget in October.

Last week's protests escalated from slow-moving convoys on motorways and restricted access to Dublin's busiest streets, to a partial blockade of Ireland's only oil refinery and restricted access to at least two other fuel depots. Some protests continued into Sunday.

Earlier, the government urged the public not to panic buy as many petrol stations ran out of fuel.

Police, with the support of the armed forces, deployed units on Saturday to clear a blockade at the Whitegate refinery in southern Ireland.

Irish police chief Justin Kelly said the action was taken as a last resort. He condemned the refinery blockade as "unlawful activity".

The blockade of "critical national infrastructure" has "resulted in fuel shortages that directly affect emergency services such as hospitals, ambulances and fire services," he said.

Elsewhere, police dismantled an improvised barrier set up by protesters blocking the docks of western Galway.

A late-night operation also targeted a blockade of the capital Dublin's main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, after several vehicles, including tractors and trucks, were removed.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan had earlier warned that the ongoing protests were "unacceptable".

"While we all recognise the impact of higher fuel prices and strive to minimise that impact, no group in our republic has the right to hold our people to ransom in such a way," he said.

In March, Dublin announced a €250 million package to reduce fuel costs, including a discount on diesel for hauliers.