'Huge concern' - Laois TD fears for school return if the Government cannot solve fuel protest, which he supports

A failure by the Government to offer a meaningful solution to fuel protesters could impact schools and people returning to work after Easter, according to Laois TD Brian Stanley.

The independent TD said it was "not good news" that representatives of protesters were refused entry to the talks in Dublin between the Government and organisations that represent hauliers and farmers.

Speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live he said he supports the protestors in Laois and other counties in their campaign for something to address the cost of fuel, which the protestors say is crippling their businesses and has caused them to mount blockades around Ireland.

Dep Stanley said he was also concerned that several groups, such as agricontractors, were not represented at talks convened on Friday, despite himself and other politicians making proposals on a means for them to attend. 

He said it was not "good news" that four representatives of protest groups at Friday's talks did not attend. He feared that by  not being at the table, "chaos" could ensue, given that the number of protests and protestors had multiplied. 

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He said the number of protestors and vehicles at Portlaoise was at its greatest on the day the talks were convened. 

He accepted that a fuel cap could be difficult to achieve, but it could be used to reduce prices. Alternatively, he believed a percentage mechanism could be used.

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While he believes there is no easy way to solve the problem, he insisted that the first step should be the acceptance by the Government that the protestors have a legitimate case.

If the solution is not solved over the weekend, Dep Stanley was fearful over the return to school and work that involves millions of extra road journeys on Monday, April 13.

"This is of huge concern, and I have said this to Ministers because the Easter Holidays will be over. People will be going back to work, and obviously, children will be going back to school," he said.

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He also warned that school bus providers may not be able to access fuel, and some are taking part in the protests.

"It should not be allowed to roll over into the weekend," he said.  

Dep Stanley said the Government should have acted after agricontractors met in Portlaoise in March, but he said this approach was refused.