{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/69d8c2bcd3f0dd7747adcdf8?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"\"The Country Will Close Down if Protests & Fuel Blockades Don't End Immediately\", Says Minister Thomas Byrne - 10/04/2026","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/1775809630337-632c2e1f-f660-4691-b973-a3cd1339efc7.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>It’s day four of ongoing protests over the government’s response to rising fuel prices.</p><p><br></p><p>Already this morning, there is a full road closure in place on the M50 northbound and southbound, with motorists warned to expect long delays.</p><p>A number of public transport services in the capital have also been affected by road closures.</p><p><br></p><p>Major roads (including motorways and Dublin’s O’Connell Street) have been blocked, fuel facilities have been blockaded and public transport has been disrupted since Tuesday, with dozens of forecourts (primarily in Munster) now completely out of fuel.</p><p><br></p><p>We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Minister of State for Europe &amp; Defence &amp; Meath-East Fianna Fail TD and Meath-East Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne, who told us that if these protests don't end immediately the country will \"close down\". </p><p><br></p><p>Minister Byrne is calling for these protests to end immediately before more damage is done. </p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}