Govt facing confidence motion over fuel crisis handling

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has accused Opposition parties of supporting the blockade of ports and the country's only oil refinery last week which almost led to a scarcity of fuel here.

Tomorrow, the Dáil is set to vote on a confidence motion in the Government over its ongoing handling of the fuel crisis.

The Government has signed off on more than €500 million in measures to support those struggling with rising energy costs as it opened the public purse to assuage public anger.

There will also be direct fuel payments to hauliers, bus operators, farmers, agricultural contractors and those involved in fisheries.

The big move by the Government was a further 10c cut in excise duty on both petrol and diesel to the end of July.

There will also be a new reduction of 2.4c on green diesel.

Carbon tax increases have been delayed until the Budget in October.

Already some farming, haulier and bus operator representatives have welcomed the Government announcement.

But in the Dáil this week, Sinn Féin will table a no confidence motion in the Government who it accused of failing to accept the scale of the crisis.

It has the support of other Opposition parties but the Government has the numbers to vote confidence in itself tomorrow.