“It’s beyond comprehension that we were on the precipice of losing oil refining capacity in the country in the middle of an unprecedented global supply shortage of energy,” Martin said. “It makes absolutely no sense what was going on.”
But the premier conceded that the package might not end the protests, which have been organized largely on social media apps and platforms. Several scattered road blockades, largely targeting rural motorways, continued Sunday.
“We haven’t any guarantees of what protesters may or may not do,” Martin said.
The government’s advisory National Emergency Coordination Group warned Sunday that much of the economy and public services, including health care, would face heightened disruption this week even if the protesters end all road obstructions now.
Sunday’s package will be subject to the passage of emergency legislation Tuesday — the same day the main opposition Sinn Féin party will bring a motion of no confidence in the government over its handling of fuel taxes and the past week’s street standoffs.
The new government plans further excise tax cuts of 10 cents per liter on gasoline and diesel effective midnight Tuesday, Martin said at his press conference. Those reductions come on top of cuts introduced last month — before any street disorder — of 15 cents on gasoline and 20 cents on diesel.