Following nationwide protests by Irish hauliers and farmers against spiralling fuel prices last week, which saw the Irish army put on standby, the Irish Government has announced it will cut fuel costs.
The protests, which caused major traffic congestion and disrupted fuel distribution, was in response to a 20% jump in fuel prices since last month, resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
Hundreds of petrol stations in the Republic of Ireland ran out of fuel as the protests and road blockades created by slow moving convoys of trucks and tractors, ran for five days.
The measures announced yesterday (12 April) follow talks on Friday between the Irish government and agricultural and haulage representatives.
They include the launch of a new Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS). This will provide direct payments to the haulage operators with payments graduated, so that smaller businesses receive a proportionately greater level of support.
An initial payment backdated for March 2026 will made to each qualifying haulage operator and the scheme will remain in place for three months.
Payments will be made for April and May, if the national average price of diesel exceeds €1.90 per litre in the month.
The Irish government has also announced cuts to the cost of diesel, petrol and green diesel and the deferral of a planned increase to carbon tax, scheduled for 1 May.
The Irish Road Haulage Association, which has long lobbied for cuts to fuel prices, said it had no involvement in any of the fuel protests last week.
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