Protests over soaring fuel prices have brought chaos to Ireland and spread to Norway, as hauliers and farmers block motorways and filling stations run dry. In Ireland, drivers were urged to buy only essential fuel after 100 stations ran out, with warnings that up to 500 could be affected by Friday. The National Emergency Coordination Group said the situation was critical.
On Friday, the fourth consecutive day of action, protesters blocked motorways and brought parts of Dublin to a standstill. The Irish government put the army on standby to help remove blockades, and police warned demonstrators to disperse or face arrest. However, protesters vowed to continue for weeks if necessary. An Garda Síochána said the protests endangered critical supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed, calling the actions 'not tolerable and against the law'.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told RTÉ that the blockade of ports and a refinery meant Ireland was on the verge of turning away oil deliveries. 'It is unconscionable, it's illogical,' he said. Despite government mitigation measures, diesel prices have risen from about €1.70 to €2.17 per litre, and petrol from €1.74 to €1.97. A meeting between ministers and industry representatives ended without resolution, with talks set to continue on Saturday.
In Norway, around 70 to 80 trucks joined the 'diesel roar' protest, driving to parliament in Oslo with banners reading 'nok er nok!' (enough is enough!). Norway cut fuel taxes on 1 April, but hauliers demand more predictable and lower prices. Statistics Norway reported a 17.9% rise in fuel and lubricant prices from February to March, with diesel up 23.6%—the sharpest monthly increase on record.
The protests are a knock-on effect from the conflict in the Middle East, which has driven up global oil prices. Some countries have announced temporary fuel tax cuts, while others consider rationing. In Ireland, Deputy Premier Simon Harris promised a 'substantial and significant' support package for key sectors, but protesters insisted on a 'serious reduction in costs' before ending their action.
