So, it was a pretty close no-confidence vote in The Dáil this afternoon, with what were seen as some pretty spectacular defections.
🚨 JUST IN: Irish Minister of State Michael Healy Rae RESIGNS his government position as a result of the massive fuel protests from farmers and truckers
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 14, 2026
Patriots are surging.
Wow! KEEP PUSHING, the pressure is WORKING 🇮🇪🇺🇸 https://t.co/D6RrOdhQZC pic.twitter.com/Q3FQUeXeAI
And some truly fiery and inspiring speeches on the floor.
🚨BREAKING🚨
— TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) April 14, 2026
We want a general election, NOW!
Ken O’Flynn has just gone NUCLEAR!
What a speech, political change is coming! Vote of No Confidence ongoing!
Follow us and share pic.twitter.com/2nPbwa1STs
Another powerful showing in the Dail today by @1PaulLawless. Himself and @kenoflynnTD have been two excellent additions to the opposition.
— Dr. Eoin Lenihan (@EoinLenihan) April 14, 2026
👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/S0NSaS9i7H
But when the votes were all in and counted...
🚨The Irish government’s vote of no confidence has failed 92-78.
— Don Keith (@RealDonKeith) April 14, 2026
The ruling coalition has voted to keep itself in power despite weeks of massive street protests over immigration, fuel prices and skyrocketing living costs.
Big disappointment for the Irish people tonight. pic.twitter.com/2d0xoEMdNG
...the ruling Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael coalition government had survived by a 92-78 vote. The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, wasted no time dismissing claims his administration had ignored the protestors and done nothing about the issue.
The handling of last week’s fuel protests triggered a Sinn Fein motion of no confidence, following blockades at fuel depots and motorways nationwide.
The government subsequently tabled a motion of confidence in itself, which has the power to override a motion from the opposition.
The Government won its confidence motion by 92 votes to 78.
Just two government-supporting TDs voted against the government, Minister Michael Healy-Rae and his brother, Danny Healy-Rae.
Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit Solidarity, Independent Ireland, the Greens, 100 per cent Redress and several Independents all voted no confidence in the Coalition.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was criticised for refusing to recall the Dáil as protests broke out over the Easter break, “leaving people with no option but to take to the streets.”
During Tuesday’s debate, Mr Martin hit back at claims from numerous TDs that the Government had “sneered” at protestors and had long failed to tackle the rising cost of living and housing.
He claimed that: “This is a country which ranks in the top ten in the world for freedom of speech, the right to protest, and the right of democratic participation. Every week, the streets outside of Leinster House are filled with groups, passionately advocating for their cause.
Apparently, they weren't aware of the anger in the streets over calling in the military either, because they're promising to prosecute members of the protesting throngs.
...During his speech, Mr Martin said that he would support efforts to “find and prosecute” some protestors.
“ There are many extreme groups which came to speak on behalf of the people without ever securing the support of the people. It is standard practice for people to shout in the streets, and online, that they are the real people of Ireland, and that the Dail and the government are a non representative elite, who know nothing, and care less about this country,” he said.
Mr Martin said that parliamentary democracy was something that should be affirmed and defended. He claimed that while “the great majority of people” who protested did so “reasonably and democratically,” this was not the case for some other elements.
Martin's cabinet is going to go ahead with their handsome but grudging offer of a whopping ten cents off a liter of fuel and some cuts to the excise taxes on diesel. This miserable nod had satisfied no one prior to today's vote. It is sure to be met with the same disgust and rejection as inadequate from this evening and henceforth.
A €505 million package has been signed off by Cabinet, including cuts to excise duty on petrol and diesel by 10 cent per litre, with further supports for key sectors. The measures come amid ongoing protests and political pressure.
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) April 13, 2026
More on #VMNews pic.twitter.com/rirKGZ10F3
Particularly when you look at what percentage of fees and taxes make up the cost of a liter of fuel in Ireland - it's approaching 56% of the total.
When it was €1.99 a liter (it's upwards of €2.34 now), €1.13 of it is government levies, taxes, and duties. €0.86 is the fuel.
In Ireland gasoline is USD$8.59 per gallon and the government won't drill for oil. US about $3-3.50 per gallon.
— HEADLINES Etc. *Stop The Cultural Decline* (@HEADLINES_Etc) April 12, 2026
The excise taxes on diesel are brutal, too, especially when you consider the volume of fuel farmers use.
And it has to be 'green.'
Haulage & Agri contractors use Green Diesel, here's an accurate breakdown from the Farmers Journal. They would have VAT back if VAT registered. pic.twitter.com/KKskt3S3ng
— Haulie Malo. (@HaulieMalo) April 11, 2026
EVERY TIME THEY OPENED THEIR MOUTHS, ANOTHER TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE SUPPORTED US
Carbon Scam Tax must go, along with the parasitic politicians.
— Es - 1215 - Just Say NO 🇮🇪 (@doyle_esther) April 14, 2026
It looks as if the people will continue to do so. The government may have saved itself, but it won nothing in the war of Irish public opinion.
Many bus drivers are expected to walk off the job in solidarity with the fuel protests tomorrow.
🇮🇪 GREAT NEWS… Bus drivers across Ireland will begin a nationwide strike tomorrow in protest against the Irish Government.
— Cillian (@CilComLFC) April 14, 2026
Widespread disruption is expected across the Country as a result.
The Irish public is pushing back strongly against Ireland’s tyrannical Government! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/ygdIUHcvOL
And the government is still intent on their plan to raise the carbon tax on fuel.
🇮🇪 BUSINESS: Carbon tax is ESSENTIAL yet Ireland's carbon footprint is neutral
— Kev Posobiec (@KevinPosobiec) April 14, 2026
Farmers are having to close their businesses because of this madness.
Fuel isn't a luxury, it's a necessity!
PRO Press Relations Officer with more pic.twitter.com/N7ZMKwlkme
And as I was saying earlier about my independent news source there, Gript Media, this is a horrible development concerning someone I have admired very much for the past couple of years.
Irish Times says John McGuirk has "been relieved of his duties and placed on a leave of absence for the last three weeks" John says "I remain an employee of Gript Media and I have no further comment"
— nwl (@nwl88444048) April 14, 2026
Must say, had put the recent gap in podcasts & articles down to the Easter… pic.twitter.com/LwUUUUmFaT
How much of it is due to pressure thanks to his fearless coverage of the protests and the Martin government?
It would be an easy guess.
Tractors and trucks were still clogging things late this afternoon.
Two lorries took part in a slow-moving convoy on the Westlink this afternoon as widespread fuel protests were expected to take place across Northern Ireland.
— The Irish News (@irish_news) April 14, 2026
Demonstrations in Toome Bridge and Nutt's Corner started later than expected.
Follow live updates:… pic.twitter.com/q2LfoXPkyx
I have a feeling the traffic jams are fixin' to get worse.
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