Ireland Reshapes Fuel Policy to Defuse Street Blockades

Ireland unveiled more than €500 million in motor-fuel tax cuts to ease protests snarling ports and roads, after security forces cleared blockades at Galway, Foynes, and Dublin’s O’Connell Street. The package, contingent on emergency legislation, includes 10-cent per liter cuts on gasoline and diesel through July, on top of prior reductions, while delaying the May 1 carbon-tax hike to November and seeking EU approval for the diesel discount. Authorities warned the National Emergency Coordination Group that disruption to health and other services could persist even if protests end, and Sinn Féin was set to motion a no-confidence vote over the government’s handling of fuel taxes.