Taoiseach says McDonald and Cairns lack 'courage' and Bacik was 'afraid' to go into Government The postmortem over last week’s fuel protests continued today in the Dáil.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was on the defensive during Leaders' Questions as he criticised opposition party leaders for how they responded to last week's fuel protests.

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Fianna Fáil's youngest TDs aren't happy with government as fuel protest fallout persists While the three TDs aren’t pointing fingers, the statement is being viewed by some within the party as direct criticism of the Taoiseach.

Fianna Fáil's youngest TDs aren't happy with government as fuel protest fallout persists.

TDs James O’Connor, Albert Dolan and Ryan O’Meara say the "social contract is strained to breaking point". jrnl.ie/7013671

From 'G.I Jim' to 'Timmy Doolittle', there was a lot of name calling in the Dáil today And some of it made more sense than others.

From 'G.I Jim' and 'Rambo' to 'Timmy Doolittle', there was a lot of name-calling in the Dáil today.

And some of it made more sense than others.

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Michael Healy-Rae is resigning from the government over the fuel protest crisis.

Addressing the Dáil he said he "adored being a minister" and signed off by telling the chamber "I am sorry and I thank you all very much".

Full story to follow shortly.

🚨 Michael Healy Rae has just resigned as a minister of state and will vote no confidence in the Government over its handling of the fuel protests.

Tánaiste slaps down minister's call for a probe into media coverage of fuel protests Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan suggested that media coverage has been “lopsided” in favour of the fuel protests.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Labour leader Ivana Bacik was deeply critical of the Media Minister’s call for a review into media coverage of the protests.

“Goodbye Viktor Orbán, hello Patrick O’Donovan," Bacik said.

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Minister's comments about coverage of protests criticised as 'sinister and deeply disturbing' Patrick O’Donovan has suggested that media coverage last week was biased in favour of the protesters.

NUJ Assistant General Secretary Séamus Dooley said the comments this morning from Minister Patrick O’Donovan were “sinister and deeply disturbing” and an interference in editorial independence.

www.thejournal.ie/patrick-odon...

Some pro-government Independent TDs still mulling over confidence vote decision Sinn Féin will table a motion of no confidence in the government tomorrow.

Some pro-government Independent TDs still mulling over confidence vote decision jrnl.ie/7011569

Taoiseach under fire over fuel protests handling in marathon four-hour long Fianna Fáil meeting The Taoiseach was told at parliamentary party meeting today that he can come across as ‘narky’ and it doesn’t go down well with the public.

Fianna Fáil politicians tell Taoiseach that life-long party supporters have said they will never vote for the party again after the government's handling of the fuel protests jrnl.ie/7011568

Fuel Support Scheme on the cards as govt seeks to strike a deal with protesters It would provide financial support for those working across Ireland’s food supply chains, including farmers and delivery drivers.

Talks between the Government and transport organisations have finished for the day, with sources saying a finalised fuel support package is "close". jrnl.ie/7009690t

'F***ed off and f***ed over': Fianna Fáil backbenchers furious over handling of fuel protests Anger is mounting in the party as the protest drags on.

'F***ed off and f***ed over': Fianna Fáil backbenchers furious over handling of fuel protests jrnl.ie/7009143

In extraordinary scenes, John Dallon and a small group of other protesters have arrived and been turned away from the talks at the Department of Agriculture.

Dallon says the protests will continue.

Councillor Gavin Pepper up near the top alongside the “RIP Ireland” coffin. Protest appears to be heading back to O’Connell Street

Protest from O’Connell Street came and left the area in front of Leinster House in circa 10 minutes.

Junior Minister Timmy Dooley on way into talks.

Says a fuel cap would be unfeasible.

He says they want the blockade to end but we can’t “bankrupt the country” to do so.

Public Order Unit has just arrived at Department of Agriculture ahead of 2pm meeting between government and representative groups on fuel protests.

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Asked if the package being worked on by the Government will just be targeted at hauliers and farmers or will include wider cost-of-living measures for the general public, he confirms it will be the former.

Asked what measures will be put on the table as part of negotiations, he says he's not going to get into it.

"There's limitations to what one can do in some respects," he says.

Asked if any of the protesters will be in the 2 pm meeting at the Dept of Agriculture, Taoiseach says he can't dictate who turns up.

Appeals again for blockade to end.

Taoiseach tells RTE Radio 1 that he doesn't think "people out there understand the gravity of the situation".

"Unelected and self-appointed people can't determine who gets fuel in this country," he says.

From full-throated support to outrage, our readers have their say on the fuel protests There was plenty of criticism for the government’s handling of the fuel crisis and the protests themselves.

There are plenty of respondents who fully support the protesters, while many are strongly opposed. Some expressed backing for the principle behind the protests but not the actions of those taking part.
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‘Panic buying’ setting in on fourth day of fuel protest, with part of M50 already fully closed Fuel supplies at more forecourts are under threat of running dry as a days-long blockade of major supply depots continues.

Fuel supplies at more forecourts are under threat of running dry as a days-long blockade of major supply depots continues.

Already this morning, there is a full road closure in place on the M50 northbound after Junction 6, with motorists warned to expect long delays.
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The minister doubled down on the claim that protesters are being manipulated when question on it

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan says the fuel protesters “need to cop” on to the damage they’re inflicting.

He says it has gone on too long and they have made their point.

He claims they’re now being “manipulated by outside actors”.

'No policy at this time': Residents in housing estates who switch to EVs met with stumbling blocks We tried to help a reader with her efforts to get an EV charger installed. The whole process was a pain.

We tried to help a reader with her efforts to get an EV charger installed. The whole process was a pain.

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Simon Harris says tax system will be simplified to encourage people to invest The Tánaiste also said the current deemed disposable tax on investments is “too high”.

Finance Minister Simon Harris has said he wants to see the Government's new State-backed investment scheme up and running next year.

He said the current tax system for investments "has not worked" in people's favour.

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'Entertainment isn't just for better off people': Our readers give their views on dodgy boxes There were mixed views from The Journal readers on illegal streaming.

There were mixed views from The Journal readers on illegal streaming.

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Being a first-time TD: 'Nobody runs without hoping to get made Taoiseach some day' Maeve O’Connell spoke to The Journal about what got her into politics, the highs and lows of Leinster House, and what it’s like when your husband is also a TD.

Fine Gael TD Maeve O'Connell spoke to The Journal about what got her into politics, the highs and lows of Leinster House, and what it's like when your husband is also a TD.

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'They just did nothing': Bike theft victims frustrated with lack of garda response Cesar Correa had a tracking device on his bike when it was taken and has since tracked the bike to a location in Dublin 9 and attempted to confront the thief.

People whose bikes have been stolen in Dublin say that they have been left frustrated by the lack of garda response - even when the victims can pinpoint exactly where their stolen bikes are.
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