THE ongoing fuel crisis and protests proved to be a topical issue at last week’s meeting of the West Cork Municipal District.

Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) sought a suspension of standing orders at the meeting to discuss the issue and pointed to the scene at numerous petrol stations across West Cork and around the country.

He said the situation had not been handled well by the Government and that comments made by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Justice  Jim O’Callaghan had only increased numbers attending the protests, inflaming the situation.

‘Going in with a hammer threatening protests with the army is like adding petrol to an already large flame,’ said Cllr Sexton, who added that ‘people have the right to protest.’

He said he had attended the fuel protests in Skibbereen with Cllr Danny Collins and had been asked by the protestors to raise their situation at council level.

These protesters are normal hard-working people from across many sectors. Builders, farmers, haulage companies and plant hires and many other hard-working people have also joined them.

His colleague, Cllr Danny Collins said the people who were at the protest did not want to be there.

‘Something has to be done. We pay 22 or 23 cent in carbon tax while this crisis is on,’ said Cllr Collins.

‘It’s estimated that our government is making an extra €26 million in VAT this year. The meeting that’s happening today (Friday April 10^th) should have happened last Tuesday. That’s why this rage is coming out.’

Cllr Isobel Towse (SD) said there was a lot of misinformation spreading in the wake of the protests.

‘I understand why people want to protest and there needs to be improvement and financial assistance and the government should have met protesters sooner, I agree.’

However, she disagreed about the cutting of carbon tax.

‘The Warmer Homes Scheme which is funded by carbon tax are making people’s lives better and you just can’t dispute that.’

Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind)  said he supported Cllrs Sexton and Collins on this issue and pointed out that all cost increases for farmers and hauliers would get passed on to consumers.

‘Ordinary shoppers will end up paying for this and lots of people and families cannot afford that in a cost of living crisis,’ said Cllr Harrington.

Cllr Brendan McCarthy (FG) said that the fuel crisis had gone too far and that the whole country was affected by it.
‘The fuel increase is not the government’s fault, it’s because of Trump and the situation in Iran,’ he said. He also pointed out that he was concerned about some of the rhetoric he had read in WhatsApp groups and other media.

‘I heard someone say on the radio ‘If you’re bringing the army, we’ve got a much bigger army. In WhatsApp groups lots of people are saying bring your Irish flags to the protests. It’s dangerous and it’s sad, where is it going to lead?'