Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has condemned what he called unprecedented stubbornness and intransigence from the government on the Fuel Protest crisis. An Teachta Tóibín stated:
“This accelerating crisis is a failure of basic political problem solving by this government. We are witnessing unprecedented stubbornness and intransigence in the face of mounting hardship around the country. The idea that a government do not have a responsibility to meet with citizens is an arrogance that comes from a government too long in government.
Ireland is rapidly heading into crisis not seen since the Water Protests. We are seeing petrol stations run dry for the first time since the Petrol Stikes 46 years ago. Its jaw dropping that the only real response by the government is to tell the Gardaí to put on riot helmets, riot gear and to take out their batons to force school bus drivers, farmers and fishermen off the street. The last time we saw the Gardaí told to force through a political decision was the water protests. In many areas this destroyed the unique relationship the Gardaí had with communities. Policing through consent was destroyed as a result of those actions 15 years ago and now it looks like the government is going to repeat that disastrous mistake.
This whole crisis hinges on whether the government will simply lift a phone and organise a meeting. The government has made a callosal mistake. They have painted themselves into a corner. This must reverse from this position before families run out of fuel”.
