Irish inshore fishermen’s organisation, NIFA is calling on the government to provide a rational fuel support scheme for the industry. Photo: NIFA
While barely mentioned in national coverage, and largely overshadowed by focus on the agriculture and haulage sectors, Irish fishermen from across the country are also taking part in the fuel protests affecting Dublin and ports nationwide.
Now in its fourth day, the protest led by agriculture and haulage leaders has demanded the government cut carbon tax on fuel before it cripples the economy and businesses have to close down, laying off workers in the process, and driving up the price of food costs which hard-pushed Irish consumers cannot afford as they try to heat homes and afford to travel to work.
The Irish government takes between 41% and 45% of each litre of fuel between Excise Duty and Carbon Tax. While Irish people carry a heavy burden, in European countries such as France and Spain, the government has acted to protect its citizens. Fuel costs in these member states was lower than in Ireland before the US-Israel attacks on Iran, but since then, Irish fuel prices have risen around 22% and petrol has risen approximately 9% per litre.
Despite Emergency Excise Cuts, on March 24, 2026, where the government cut excise by 20 cent on diesel and 15 cent on petrol (including VAT), green diesel, the fuel used by the commercial sectors was only cut by 3 cents per litre. These cuts are currently scheduled to expire on May 31, 2026
In Spain and France, the governments have introduced fuel subsidy schemes for the fishing industry which will see fishermen compensated 20 cent per litre. Other EU countries are seeking similar subsidies.
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The Fishing Daily spoke with the National Inshore Fishermen’s Federation (NIFA) Vice-Chair, John Menarry who is currently attending the protests in Dublin with other NIFA representatives who had sought an audience with the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.
He confirmed NIFA had sought a meeting with the Minister of State with Responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, TD, but he refused the request citing that he has already engaged with the organisation on the issues.
Asked if they are willing to continue the protest in Dublin. Menarry replied, “We will wait to see the outcome of the meeting”.
The Government is to meet with representative farming groups, agricultural contractors, and the haulage industry later today to discuss the ongoing fuel crisis.
There has been no confirmation whether representatives of fuel protesters engaged in ongoing action will be in attendance, but fuel price protest leaders, James Geoghegan, said they would join a meeting of farmers’ groups with Government.
Despite some group representatives saying the protests would discontinue once the Government met with them, Mr Geoghegan said the demonstrations would continue.
He said they want the carbon tax on green diesel to be removed and the price of fuel to be capped.
Meanwhile blockades continue at ports around the country with Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford and Whitegate in Co Cork, Ireland’s only oil refinery.
Yesterday, 09 April, Taoiseach Micheál Martin threatened protesters by confirming he is considering calling in the Irish Defence Forces to remove protesters from ports and fuel depots to ensure supplies reach garage forecourts around the country.
