Garda operations have been underway to clear blockading vehicles as the fuel protests entered a sixth day this morning (Sunday, April 12).

Updates this morning from An Garda Síochána show that a Garda operation has been ongoing on O'Connell Street in Dublin City to "remove all illegally parked vehicles".

"Frontline uniform Gardaí, plain clothes Gardaí and Garda public order units have been deployed.

"Blockading vehicles being removed under escort. Blockaders must comply with Garda directions."

A Garda operation is also ongoing at the Galway Docks to "ensure critical supplies of fuel to maintain critical emergency public services", including ambulance and fire services.

Gardaí said this morning that a number of blockades on roads had been cleared including the N81/M50 junction 11 blockade and the M50 southbound blockade after junction 5.

Disruption to travel continues around the country as a number of roads remain closed.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has given an update on closures.

Today marks day six of fuel protests.

The protests, which began on Tuesday, have seen slow-moving convoys of tractors, trucks, buses and other vehicles and blockades on motorways, roads and ports.

Supplies at risk

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly yesterday evening made a statement on Garda operations in relation to blockades of critical national infrastructure.

He said blockades are "putting at risk supplies that are critical for our country".

He said blockaders must "immediately cease blockades of critical infrastructure and road networks or face the full rigours of the law".

There has been also been a Garda operation over the weekend at Whitegate Refinery in Cork to "ensure critical supplies of fuel" to maintain critical emergency public services.

Yesterday, protestors outlined plans for Sunday, which would mark a sixth day of action.

In a post to social media, they said from 11:00a.m today, they will be "gathering in towns and counties right across Ireland" for nationwide protests.

'Should never have reached this point'

Cabinet is due to meet today as government works towards finalising fuel supports.

Speaking over the weekend, MEP Ciaran Mullooly said that while reports of a targeted fuel support scheme are a "step in the right direction", it is "far too early to welcome any measures until they are finalised and delivered".

The MEP warned that the current situation "should never have been allowed to escalate to this level".

The Midlands North West MEP said: “Over the past two weeks, we have called for most of these measures in one form or another.

"The precedent is there, the mechanism is tried and tested, and the need is clearly there."

Mullooly said that with talks still ongoing, the priority now "must be to reach a meaningful agreement quickly".

“What matters now is delivery - and delivery without delay.”

Mullooly warned that escalation "will not resolve the situation and risks deepening divisions".

Farm organisations

The Irish Beef and Lamb Association (IBLA) has called on independent TDs supporting the government to "withdraw support so a general election can be called".

The organisation said there is "no confidence in the government over its very poor handling of the current fuel protest and other recent events that affect the farming community".

IBLA said it feels that there has been a "lack of understanding", coupled with a "lack of communication by the government with the protest organisers" and this "warrants an immediate action".

A stakeholder meeting took place on Friday and the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) said it had not received an invitation to the meeting.

The ICSA has since urged government to "ensure that all farming organisations are included in discussions on rising fuel costs".

"There are clearly very real and legitimate concerns across the farming community and the wider public in relation to rising fuel costs, which are impacting households and businesses alike," the ICSA said.

"At the same time, the disruption caused by ongoing protests is affecting people right across the country and adding to those pressures."

The organisation said that all of these concerns are "valid, but it is essential that efforts are now focused on bringing this situation to a resolution".