Supply chains will take days to return to normal, says emergency group

Ireland’s supply chains will take a number of days to return to normal, the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) has said.

Protests over the rising cost of fuel started last Tuesday, resulting in blockaded ports, slow-moving convoys on motorways and Dublin city centre being brought to a standstill.

Fuel costs have soared globally since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

Blockades of ports and the Whitegate oil refinery ended over the weekend but protest convoys on motorways caused further disruption on Monday.

The NECG, which brings together Government departments and state agencies to respond to emergencies in Ireland, met on Monday.

The NECG said “significant work is under way to process the accumulated cargo” at ports and fuel was “moving well” from sites that had been blocked.

But they said it would take “several days” for operations and distribution to return to normal.

“It remains important for members of the public to only buy the fuel they need as local stocks are replenished,” they added.

Similarly, they said agri-food supply chains will return to normal operation “in the coming days” after the agriculture, food, fisheries, and forestry sectors “experienced significant difficulties” during the protests.

According to the statement, the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, has extended temporary changes to driving hours and rest periods to aid deliveries in Ireland.

The HSE has also assured patients that all services are “continuing and operational” and said patients should assume their appointments are going ahead unless they hear from the HSE.

Public transport is now fully operational after Dublin Bus and Luas services were severely affected blast week.

Junior Cert and Leaving Cert practical exams will also go ahead from Tuesday onwards, after some were cancelled on Monday.

The NECG said: “Where local or individual issues arise because of disruptions, these will be managed at local level.”