The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) will “continue to engage with government on a daily basis to achieve further supports for our members in the haulage sector.
We are currently in negotiations with government for more supports for our industry following crippling fuel price increases.
We reiterate that we will not be taking part in any protest actions whilst we are negotiating in good faith with government – contrary to reports on social media.
The Irish Road Haulage Association believes that the best way to resolve this issue is through dialogue and we will continue ongoing discussions with the government to bring about further supports for our members.”
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Our position has not changed.
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There is no doubt that bus and coach operators are facing sustained and serious cost pressures and are dealing with a very challenging operating environment.
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The CTTC is not and will not be involved in the planning or coordination of the fuel protest and we will not be taking part in it. We would ask protestors to keep bus lanes clear so that buses and coaches can move freely around the country and help keep Ireland moving.
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Our efforts remain firmly directed towards working with Government, in particular the Department of Finance, and the Department of Transport, to seek practical measures that will assist our members during this period of exceptional cost inflation.
Dublin city-centre remains open for business
Dublin City Council would like to remind the public that the city-centre remains open for business, despite disruption caused by the current fuel protests.
The Council’s Traffic Control Room is actively monitoring the location of the protests and the impact that they are having on traffic.
Vehicle movements are impaired in the city core with O’Connell Street continuing to be completely blocked. Where it is possible, adjustments are being made to the traffic signals via our traffic management system to keep movement through the network as smooth as possible.
Throughout the demonstration we have remained in contact with Bus and Luas operators to provide assistance as required. We will continue to closely monitor the situation.
While public transport is experiencing delays and disruption due to the protests, our advice to people travelling into the city is still to consider using these services, or active modes, like walking and cycling, rather than using a car.
Dublin City FM 103.2 will be on air from 4-7 with traffic updates.
Dublin City Council would also like to once again appeal to people engaged in the protests to ensure the free passage of all emergency vehicles, both on blue lights heading to an emergency and also returning to base to serve their operational area.
We ask everyone on the roads to be extra vigilant and compliant when they hear emergency sirens approaching. Do not wait until the emergency vehicles reach the blockades, please allow the other blocked traffic through in advance, so the route is clear for our vehicles to approach.
Dublin City Council respects the right of people to protest. However, the public also has the right to be able to move freely through our capital city.
Statement from Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Ray McAdam on Protests
Protestors can’t hold Dublin to ransom – Lord Mayor of Dublin
Rolling, unsanctioned protests can’t be allowed hold the capital city to ransom, according to the Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam.
Commenting on the third day of protests, the councillor for the North Inner City said:
“Everybody has the right to protest, and everyone is well aware of rapidly rising fuel prices due to global events. However, holding the people of Dublin to ransom for a second day of unsanctioned, rolling, protests is not fair. I understand there is deep frustration at this time over the cost of fuel, but we cannot have people bringing our capital to a standstill. We need people to be able to move freely through our city, our carers and healthcare workers, our local businesses, our public transport must all be able to fully function.”
“With the Rotunda at the heart of our inner city it is vital that emergency vehicles, patients, and staff can freely move through the city to attend the hospital. I would ask all protestors to think about the impact this is having on the hospital. I fully respect the right to protest but disrupting our commuters, families, key workers, and visitors to our city does not help and it’s not fair. Now is the time for us all to pull together.”
“Disrupting day to day activities within our capital is wrong. It is vital that all stakeholders engage through the proper channels so that our city can function,” concluded the Lord Mayor.