By and large protestors represent the back-bone of Irish society, hard working farmers and other workers whose very survival depends on reasonable fuel and energy costs.
Yet, there are also many supporters and other participants who are involved by mere fact of moral responsibility to the Irish people and way of life. For it is these very people who are the lifeblood and soul of the Nation, and that keep the country running while the cabal in Leinster house plot and scheme to the detriment of the Irish working class.
The reality is these fuel protests did not just happen off the cuff, but rather are the result of a growing mass discontent and disillusionment that by now has been simmering for months or even years. For make no mistake these protests are not just about fuel prices, but are also a response to many disastrous decisions on behalf of a government embedded firmly in neoliberalism and corporatism.
The reality is these fuel protests did not just happen off the cuff, but rather are the result of a growing mass discontent and disillusionment that by now has been simmering for months or even years. For make no mistake these protests are not just about fuel prices, but are also a response to many disastrous decisions on behalf of a government embedded firmly in neoliberalism and corporatism.
It is therefore fitting that by preventing access to major fuel depots and ports the protestors are now hitting the government exactly where it hurts. Perhaps now the FF/FG coalition will understand the hardship of the Irish working class who in many instances are living hand to mouth and from paycheck to paycheck amidst one poorly managed crisis after another. There has to be a tipping point somewhere along the line and perhaps this is it.
The government is also quick to play the used and worn Far Right card in a feeble attempt to divide and discredit. But let us call it what it is, a workers led revolt that brings with it clear potential for revolutionary change. And whether or not those involved lean to the Left or Right is totally irrelevant because economic turmoil and genuine hardship impacts us all.
By now the FF/FG cabal in Leinster house are so out of touch with the typical Irish citizen it is frankly disturbing. Indeed, on the second day of unrest Taoiseach Martin was publicly scathing of protesters while showing zero understanding into why Irish citizens were taking such measures. Instead he made it abundantly clear that his sympathies align solely with big business, the elites and corporate interests who God forbid might be short of footfall.
The Irish government could attempt to deal and alleviate this in another way, perhaps by acknowledging the strike with a view to negotiation on strike demands, or by taking simple steps to further reduce or halt tax revenue per litre of fuel or heating oil. Yet the reality is such steps are an anathema to those only invested in self-interest and pursuits for personal gain.
By now the FF/FG cabal in Leinster house are so out of touch with the typical Irish citizen it is frankly disturbing. Indeed, on the second day of unrest Taoiseach Martin was publicly scathing of protesters while showing zero understanding into why Irish citizens were taking such measures. Instead he made it abundantly clear that his sympathies align solely with big business, the elites and corporate interests who God forbid might be short of footfall.
The Irish government could attempt to deal and alleviate this in another way, perhaps by acknowledging the strike with a view to negotiation on strike demands, or by taking simple steps to further reduce or halt tax revenue per litre of fuel or heating oil. Yet the reality is such steps are an anathema to those only invested in self-interest and pursuits for personal gain.
It is an unfortunate side effect that such protests will bring about temporary fuel shortages for the people at local filling stations and forecourt's, but on the whole it is a short term sacrifice in the pursuit of holding the government accountable, and to send a message to invoke much needed change of government policy and direction.
Alarmingly, like something from the fascist playbook of Pinochet, Franco or Mussolini, the Irish government has now began to mobilize the Irish Army to quell and put a stop to the 'blockades' of motorways and key fuel depots across the country.
Alarmingly, like something from the fascist playbook of Pinochet, Franco or Mussolini, the Irish government has now began to mobilize the Irish Army to quell and put a stop to the 'blockades' of motorways and key fuel depots across the country.
If this measure is to go ahead it would be a grave mistake on behalf of the State. It would set a most dangerous precedent and be a clear indicator that there are two very distinct societal constructs living side by side in Ireland: the oppressed and the oppressors. Or to put it another way, those who defend Irish people and interests, and those who do not. Finally, the last word should be left to Liam Mellows when he said:
It is a fallacy to believe that a Republic of any kind can be won through the shackled Free State. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. The Free State is British created and serves British Imperialist interests. It is the buffer erected between British Capitalism and the Irish Republic - Liam Mellows
⏩ Gowain McKenna is a Belfast born engineer and musician. He has an M.Phil, MS.c and B.Eng in Aerospace Engineering, but has somehow found himself working in the marine industry in Co. Donegal Ireland, the place from which he now calls home. Visit his website.
Simon Comments
ReplyDeleteGowain, there is presently a war going on in the Middle East driving up the price of a barrel of oil. When that goes up practically everything else goes up worldwide. Fertiliser is more expensive, plastics, food. If the price of oil goes up and petrol goes up the tax revenue but not the tax rate goes up too. If the prices of more or less everything go up, more tax revenue is needed to pay for public services as they in turn will be more costly.
The government of the Republic of Ireland has no ability to change the price of a barrel of oil. Maybe the total tax on a litre of petrol should be capped but capping the total price of petrol or diesel would be madness at a time of global uncertainty. Who would sell petrol or diesel at a loss?
You should be thankful you're not getting bombed from the sky like the Palestinians or Iranians never mind whining about prices of petrol. The global conflicts are having a global effect. In the last world wars there was rationing. Be thankful you're not on rations or getting bombed to smithereens. In a time of conflict everyone will struggle. Your efforts are misdirected.
Your talk of discontent for months or years mostly brought the right-wing anti-immigration mob to mind. An increase in conflict beings an increase in refugees. Next you'll be complaining about that rather than campaigning to stop the wars that cause these things.
You say, "Alarmingly, like something from the fascist playbook of Pinochet, Franco or Mussolini, the Irish government has now began to mobilize the Irish Army".
Are you serious? Moaning about the Irish army being brought in. Comparing it to Pinochet, Franco and Mussolini? Pinochet threw thousands out of civilians out of planes into the sea. Franco carried out what is considered the first example of total war in modern history by bombing Guernica. These weren't exceptions to the rule. The army are not using life rounds or less lethal weapons like plastic bullets. What strange comparisons! Should we all sit here with the petrol stations running out of petrol and diesel and twiddle our thumbs?
Your desire for cheap petrol sounds like neo-liberalism rather than socialism.
Your piece reminds me of the New Irish Land League campaigning to stop millionaires getting evicted from their mansions after raking up extravagant debt. Your quoting of Liam Mellows to give it a Republican sheen isn't fooling anyone. It's not a Republican message but a neo-liberal one.
Simon, thanks for the feedback from upon high! Some valid points to take on board perhaps, but in respect of others you made, I find not so much value in the distortions. As a wise man once said, ‘opinions are like assholes everybody has one.’ Keep her lit.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the polls, the majority of people from all political backgrounds supported the protests. Nobody was whining or moaning about wanting cheap fuel. People were demanding prices to be brought down to normal levels such that business and the means of production was sustainable and financially viable. Such that people could continue to pay a mortgage and could keep employees in a job. There are numerous reasons, and not solely about fuel but the knock-on effects there after.
ReplyDeleteAs a rule it is safe to say a great number of the oppressed and working class have no real sense of class consciousness. It is highly likely they are in fact apolitical, yet a great number of such people as well as other workers supported the protest. Precisely because they have no faith in what they see as a corrupt FF/FG coalition and are sick to the back teeth of being treated like second class citizens in a two tier system. A system where only the wealthy can get proper health care and afford a home, and to add insult to injury afford to heat their homes and put diesel in the car. Many protesters wouldn’t know political Left from Right, but they do know when something has to be done to improve the situation they face. So rather than intellectualize it may be best to empathize. People are people and that’s all they can be.
There may not be bombs dropping from the sky as you astutely pointed out, but there are a great many who have to choose between heating oil and food. I am talking about those in lower paid jobs, the unemployed, and the elderly and so on. Yes we are lucky there are no bombs falling from the sky, and if there were I am sure the price of fuel would be the last thing on our minds. It is all relative of course! Fact is the people had the power to change what they could and they went out and did so.
You seem to suggest that the government had no reason to be held accountable, and moreover were not in a position to alleviate the situation precisely because of the need to profit from a barrel of oil? Nonsense. Any state should have reserves and the financial resources for relief packages to buttress the nation in times of global instability. When all is said and done, the protests have had an impact, government has changed policy and funneled an extra €550 million into a relief package. But that’s only the start of it. It was clear the government could have done much more sooner to prevent what had happened. Perhaps they learnt a lesson and some good can come out of this in the long term.
Finally, I am fully aware and well-read on the horrors of what can happen under an authoritarian government and military dictatorship. Perhaps my previous comparison was somewhat misguided. But I suppose you think it right and proper that Garda riot squads battered, kicked and used pepper spray on protesters, many of them young and elderly. Now, let’s face it any State the size and with the Constitution of Ireland that has to bring the Army out on its own people has lost, and moreover has lost touch with her people when the polls were clear and a vast majority were in favor of protest action. It’s not something to simply forget about or to be brushed under the carpet as you would have us do.
Gowain - that is a well laid out response.
DeleteI think most people are class conscious but it does not determine how they think or act because they are also conscious of a lot of other things which shapes their behaviour. I remember reading a term many years ago - divided consciousness'. This is an aside and not to take away from your point about the phenomenon.
You suggest to Simon that he thinks it right and proper that Garda riot squads battered, kicked and used pepper spray on protesters. . .
Yet I could see nothing in his comment which would lend to such an observation on your part. In conversations with both you and him over the years I have formed the view that both of you subscribe to a human rights compliant code of practice and if An Garda were being non-compliant you would both object.
This is my starting point in exploring these matters which helps me avoid deluding myself that I have all the answers: When rights clash whose should prevail - your right to get to work or to the hospital on time or my right to stop you? I don't believe An Garda has any right to stop you doing either and it follows that I can't assume a right for myself that I can deny to An Garda.
And if your right to get to hospital over my right to stop you is the stronger, then the question arises of who is the guarantor of your right and how is it to enforced?
In any society there should be the rule of law and one law for all. The challenge for those who believe in societal justice (If only because of the MLK assertion that the law cannot make a man love me but it might stop him lynching me) is how to ensure that the rule of law is applied without it becoming the rule of law enforcement.
Simon comments
DeleteGowain you said "People were demanding prices to be brought down to normal levels such that business and the means of production was sustainable and financially viable."
What is a normal price and is it going to be sustainable with the continuing war in the Middle East? With the price of oil, fertiliser and plastics all skyrocketing are normal lives can't help but be affected.
You also said "You seem to suggest that the government had no reason to be held accountable, and moreover were not in a position to alleviate the situation precisely because of the need to profit from a barrel of oil?". I said nothing of the sort. I said:
"Maybe the total tax on a litre of petrol should be capped but capping the total price of petrol or diesel would be madness at a time of global uncertainty. Who would sell petrol or diesel at a loss?" If the price of petrol/diesel was capped and the price of a barrel of oil meant it was sold at a loss everyone would have to mainly subsidise through taxes those who use the most of it. Ie. Big business and large scale farming. Why should we expect everyone in the country to do that? Capping petrol and diesel prices, as was demanded by the blockade's self appointed spokespeople, would be madness but I clearly said the total tax could be capped. You'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul if the price itself was capped.
Are you saying negotiations with legitimate farming and transport groups couldn't have achieved the same outcome? The government put in a package before the blockade which showed they were willing to make changes. Are you arguing only an illegal blockade could have achieved the latest changes? Where is your evidence?
I directed the whining comment at you, not the general population, because you were lauding the protestors and comparing the Irish government's approach to "Pinochet, Franco and Mussolini". The blockade instigator and four main spokespersons were recently outted by thejournal.ie as being right-wing, bigots, misogynists etc. One said about Greta Thunberg that he "couldn’t care less if she got raped or beaten and I make no apologies for saying that.” One reportedly owed half a million in unpaid taxes. This balloon is a spokesperson for the working class? Don't be fooled.
Why give these bastards support? Wolfe Tone's principle that my enemy's enemy is my friend should be heavily caveated. These bastards are worse than FF/FG and people have the opportunity to vote for who they want to govern in general elections. That's democracy and giving succour to this shower will embolden them.
You also said "Finally, I am fully aware and well-read on the horrors of what can happen under an authoritarian government and military dictatorship."
You say you are well-read but your comparison of the FF/FG government to "Pinochet, Franco and Mussolini" demonstrates you're not. Your lauding of the blockade despite thejournals exposé on who instigated it also demonstrates you're not.
Finally, you say "Now, let’s face it any State the size and with the Constitution of Ireland that has to bring the Army out on its own people has lost, and moreover has lost touch with her people when the polls were clear and a vast majority were in favor of protest action. It’s not something to simply forget about or to be brushed under the carpet as you would have us do."
What would you on your high horse change our constitution and electoral system to? People gave a mandate to these cretins but they're entitled to govern once elected. Opinion polls are next to useless compared to electoral mandates. Maybe you're well-read on that too?
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/05/05/history-moved-but-the-liberal-left-didnt-irelands-fuel-protests/
ReplyDelete"Despite the disreputable character of a section of the protesters, these mobilisations around fuel and the cost‑of‑living more generally demonstrated the power of coordinated action and disruption. They show that things can change when people act together, even loosely, and that collective pressure remains a tool capable of influencing entrenched systems.
Those waiting for an uprising or a “pure” movement from below will be waiting forever. It is clear that such people do not truly want a movement capable of achieving meaningful change – such a movement would be messy and difficult. The alternative, however, is remaining on the margins indefinitely.
Irish republicans and the left must lead on the cost‑of‑living by building movements and be ready, through preparation, to show leadership when future spontaneous upsurges on these material questions erupt."