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Fuel Price Protest: Government Announce Fuel Price Cut

Sunday, 12 April 2026 17:33

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The measures take effect from midnight on Tuesday.

The Government has announced a 10 cent cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel, with a further reduction of 2.4 cent on marked gas oil or green diesel.

The measures, which are subject to approval, are due to take effect from midnight on Tuesday and will remain in place until the end of July.

The planned increase in carbon tax has also been deferred until budget day in October, in what the Government says is a response to rising fuel costs.

Announcing the measures after an emergency Cabinet meeting this evening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the protests in recent days went beyond peaceful demonstration, warning no group has the right to block roads, ports or emergency services:

Meanwhile a number of Midlands road remain blocked off by protestors.

They include:

The N4, between junction 17 and 18 in Mullingar

The N6 between junction 8 and 9 in Athlone

The N52 around Tullamore remains closed from the Ballard Roundabout and the Arden Roundabout.

And the M7 around Portlaoise from junction 16 to 18.

Here's the scene on the M7 at Junction 17 with the Stradbally Church Choir supporting the demonstrators:

Sinn Fein says it will be tabling a motion of no confidence in the Government this week, when the Dail returns.

The party says the Government has failed to respond adequately to the problems households are facing, and has lost the confidence of the public.

Deputy leader Pearse Doherty says, problems aren't just confined to fuel and energy:

Aontú leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín thinks the government's has made a serious mistake by refusing to speak to the people actually engaged in the protests:

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