"We cannot meet groups who are stopping fuel getting to communities" - Mayo TD

Mayo TD Dara Calleary has refused to rule out government meetings with protestors blocking critical fuel infrastructure, providing they are part of official representative groups heading into talks with the government today.

Government representatives are set to meet with representative groups of farmers and the haulage industry this afternoon to discuss the ongoing fuel crisis.

The Fianna Fáil TD stated that protestors would be talked to on the basis that they form part of those official groups.

"We're not dictating who can come to that meeting from the farm organisations," Minister Calleary stated on RTÉ Radio One this morning, "so certainly if protesters come representing the farm organisations, we're not dictating that they can't come.

"The most important thing is the focus of the meeting, that we get a resolution to the blockades. We can't have a situation where we have enough fuel in the country and that fuel isn't getting to our citizens.

"We are very conscious of the fuel price pressures that are on people, that are on small businesses, that are on communities. We've indicated with a €250 million package already, one of the biggest in the European Union. And we've also said that we're willing to do more."

When pressed regarding Taoiseach Michael Martin's comments on whether or not the Government would be willing to meet with 'people effectively holding a gun to his head', the Minister for Rural and Community Development backed his party leader.

"It hasn't changed. We cannot meet groups who are stopping fuel getting to communities, stopping fuel getting to families."