An Irish junior minister has resigned in protest over the government’s response to a wave of public demonstration against surging fuel prices last week and says he will join the opposition in voting no-confidence in the coalition.
The government is still expected to survive the confidence motion the opposition put down after protesters blockaded oil infrastructure and left about a third of Ireland’s petrol stations without fuel.
The disruption ended on Monday.
However, the resignation of Michael Healy-Rae during the debate came as an unexpected blow to the government.
Healy-Rae is one of a number of independent MPs whose support the centre-right-led coalition relies on for its majority.
“The leader of the country should have listened and because of the fact that I believe this government has let the people of Ireland down, I will be voting no confidence in the leader of the country and I will be tendering my resignation as a Minister of State from now,” Healy-Rae told parliament.
He added that his constituents in rural county Kerry did not want to see him “or any Healy-Rae” back the government.
That suggested his brother and fellow independent MP, Danny, would also withdraw his support, further cutting the government’s majority.
In a bid to ease the discontent, the government announced 500 million euros ($A821 million) worth of spending increases and tax cuts to soften the effect on consumers and businesses on Sunday.
That was on top of a 250 million euro package introduced three weeks ago.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the government had acted to end the “destructive blockade” and that tax cuts they offered were the largest in Europe to cope with fuel prices that have soared after the US-Israel war on Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for the world’s oil.
“The basic core claim that we are doing nothing and are falling behind other countries is simply untrue,” Martin said.
Martin led a motion to support his coalition made up of the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties along with some independents ahead of a no-confidence vote brought by Sinn Fein, the largest opposition party.
If Martin’s motion passes, it would make the no-confidence motion moot.
But if it fails, it would have the effect of a no-confidence vote and force his government to resign, leading parliament to pick a new prime minister or trigger a general election.
Protests in Ireland began last Tuesday with slow-moving convoys clogging roadways.
They grew as word spread on social media as truckers, farmers and taxi and bus operators blocked key infrastructure and the main thoroughfare in the capital Dublin.
Demonstrators called for price caps or tax cuts to alleviate soaring fuel costs they said will drive people out of business.
Martin said the government can learn from the protests but defended the response by police and military to clear roadblocks at the country’s sole oil refinery at Whitegate in County Cork and at several depots.
with AP
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