NO PLANS HAVE been reached to end fuel protests and blockades of critical infrastructure after talks between government ministers and industry representatives.
The meeting will resume tomorrow and government ministers have said a “significant and enhanced support package” for the impacted sectors is being finalised – but protest leader Christopher Duffy said “nothing has changed”.
Meanwhile, the large protest at Dublin’s O’Connell bridge continues as around 100 motorcyclists arrive to show their support.
Earlier today, several protest organisers who believed they would be in attendance at the meeting were turned away at the doors, and have since vowed that blockades will continue.
Duffy, who was standing by as the official groups exited the meeting, said this evening that the protesters have been “put at the kiddies table”. Asked what it will take to bring the protest to an end, he said: “A serious reduction in our costs”.
But speaking to RTÉ’s Six One News, Tánaiste Simon Harris said government will engage with the democratically elected representative bodies.
“We can’t have a situation where we are engaging with people who are blockading key parts of our country,” he added.
Asked if anything has changed from the protesters position this evening, Christopher Duffy says “absolutely not. Nothing has changed.” pic.twitter.com/apeNCQiazP
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) April 10, 2026
In a statement released after the meeting, government ministers stressed that “constructive engagement with stakeholders will continue over the weekend” with the parties set to meet again tomorrow to finalise the details.
The minister’s statement also said they had “expressed their understanding of the seriousness of the situation and the pressures being experienced by farmers, contractors, and transport operators”.
The statement added that the government was committed “to supporting those affected and acknowledged the need for swift and targeted action”.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Six One News, Harris said a “substantial and significant” package was forthcoming.
“It is aimed to try and keep key sectors of our economy going at a time when there are real challenges,” he added.
Harris also ruled out a price cap on fuel, saying it “won’t work” and “means that the price transfers from the forecourt to the taxpayer”.
He said “it is time to go home” while addressing the protesters directly, adding that “the blockade has to end”.
“At a time of a global fuel shortage, this country has adequate fuel supplies but we cannot get them because of the illegal actions of some.”
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) April 10, 2026“The meeting was fairly angst” - Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland says as he leaves Ag House after marathon talks with government.
He says he is hopeful a package can be agreed when talks resume tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/XXFcPSkx3X
Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland described the meeting as “fairly angst” this evening.
“At the same time, they are working with the different sectors,” he said, adding that he is hopeful a package can be agreed when talks resume tomorrow.
IFA President Francie Gorman said the government need to be “a lot more proactive” in how they handle the situation.
“It’s a national crisis we’re in. We’re meeting again tomorrow and hopefully we’ll get a finalisation,” he added.
Meanwhile, ICMSA President Denis Drennan says his message to protesters tonight is that he fully sympathises with them, but fuel needs to be able to get out of depots.
“We can understand completely the financial pressure everyone’s under because of the increased cost of production, but we need to get essential supplies through those ports at the moment,” he said.
With additional reporting from Jane Matthews.