We need to talk. We don’t have the means to force the issue. By refusing to talk to the people involved it’s not helpful. I want to see an end to it. I can’t see any. JJH
First point correct but who with???? their PRO lad has stated many times he is there in dublin and has nothing to do with all the other groups. So cant talk with 1 group when rest are not part of it. Actually there is no organisation and they originally said they would not work with IFA and IRHA (realy poor name to give a company). Governemnt will talk with recognised bodies.
On Gov side they wont just fall down for a few protestors, they did however screw it up big time with Tuesdays hard line attitude which just escalted the protestors.
What Gov should have done is told IFA and IRHA to allow 2-3 members selected by these groups in under yoru wing and then we can discuss with everyone. However no one knows what they want, some want carbon tax removed (i will 100% agree there) caps on vat, ahh yes/no depends on agrument (take carbon tax off and i think it fixes it all) then some wanted oil wells opened in atlantic, one group wanted roads repaired in their area....?????? it gone out control as they have no clear agenda. Next week lot these lads will be back in school, down my way a lot of the lads standing around were farmers sons who were off this week.
Also as mentioned by the trade unions who were on radio, a blockade isnt a protest its an aillegal action. Protests cant be stationary and block anything off, they have to be moving (hence why when a company unuion goes on strike at a company gate they have to be walking with their signs. standing or siting down isnt a legal protest as it has become an illegal blockade). Asked someone in the know when heard this to confirm and they backed this up.
Plus short minded as next year if EU says know what or grants and aid to farmers may take a reduction they have only themselves to blame. They are out for their own intrests which is every groups right to protest but dont say we have all the country behind us when they dont. Online support isnt actual support.
In my short life time this is second time i am using credit card to help get to work, i had to do it for years in the recession when everyone was hit hard, didnt see farms out protesting for me then.
Whether you agree or dont agree with whats happening is the right for all of us to have differring opinions.
Just as a side note i have lot family in the farming and also farming contractor business so i get to see it from all side.
I like a donegal lad who is part of the protest, he was out challenging the politicans who came out to meet them, he made one very valid point lot the protests forgot, 1st likes them will jump on any protest for self gain, 2nt and most importantly lot them votes in the carbon tax.
I think if they stuck with the go slow plan and not blockade anything they would have lot more support and also lot more leverage as were not doing anything illegal. Once go down route pushing limits of the law you force the hand of the government to enfoce the law whether you agree or not that is the law and its also why we live in a safe cilived society.
I will give lto credit to group here in Foynes, there is only a few Garda required here as the group is working with them to semi blockage but also they are flexible and will let some trucks with fuel and food out. Very smart and guess what it gets your point accross but also doesnt cause an actual full lock in. So credit to them as they have reasoning to work with the authorities from what i seen myself.
As for the medical supplies i can see how companies are worried and haulage, some meds we have get delivered to our house were in trucks and had a short shelf life once not in cold storage. They had about 5 hours from leaving stores (in dublin) until got to our house (and other houses) for us to store them in a cool store thats provide by HSE. (now my dads beer fridge in shed). This lack empathy to the people who need care is shocking by the online community. However i have heard lot people in Limerick say they are now able get in but very slow and causes lot discomfort. I also heard locally some protestors looking for medical proof of emergency not on at all.