'I'm standing with them' - Laois senator backs fuel protesters

As the fuel protests enter their third day in Laois and elsewhere across the country, a Laois senator has shown her support for the protesters. 

The convoy of trucks and tractors continue to block the M7 at Portlaoise this Thursday, April 9.

With the nationwide protest over fuel prices now in its third day, the Irish army has been called in to remove heavy vehicles blocking fuel depots. 

Laois Senator Maria McCormack has weighed in on the situation, expressing her support for those out protesting. 

In a post on social media, the Sinn Féin Senator said: "Peaceful protest happens when people feel they have been left with no other choice. I stand with them in calling for action from this government."

"These are just regular workers from Portlaoise, the bus contractors who bring our kids to school, the builders, the farmers, everybody who is keeping this country moving. They are just asking for a simple request, for the price at the pump to be reduced," she said.

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Senator McCormack said that from the stories she has heard from those out protesting, some have said they "will not be able to keep their businesses going" if the fuel prices continue to soar.

"They can't afford to keep everything on the road," Senator McCormack explained.

She urged that the Government needs to meet with protesters to discuss the issue. 

Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said the Government would meet with farming and haulier representative groups but would not meet with protesters blocking cities, fuel depots and the country’s only refinery, Whitegate Refinery in Cork.