What’s your most controversial opinion? **Read OP** **Mod Warning in Post #8023**

The religious indoctrination going on in our schools is being funded by the taxpayers. This is a disgrace. The religious orders should be invoiced for the teaching hours wasted on this rubbish.

This Is an excellent protest! I'd be very surprised if they don't get a good settlement out of it, reduction in fuel taxes. I'm not involved in haulage or agriculture. It's just a really effective protest. I had to work around the protests today. Fair play to them for doing a good protest.

I only wish people who represent my political priorities were that effective

Well, I wouldn't take that as the final word. They haven't started negotiating yet. I'll be surprised if they don't get a settlement out of it. I'd say that's ultimately the measure of a good protest.

But the first measure of a good is causing sustained disruption without causing harm or violence. They've don't that very effectively. Well see what happens when they start negotiating.

How would you measure a good protest?

Boards.ie and reddit/r/ireland used to organise outings/socials/drinks, because it was filled with actual real Irish people.

Heck we used to know mods personally IRL.

Ever since the censorship got utterly orwellian, there's been sod all.

Who is really running these sites anymore?

I'm not referring to a medical appointment though. I'll happily admit that I don't particularly agree with the protesters but I'm legitimately concerned about the disruption to things like emergency services. I'm saying this from a genuine perspective in respect to that, an ambulance being delayed in a serious situation can drastically change the outcome. So if it's organised to minimise such scenarios, fair enough but it appears to have caused some real issues.

https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-fire-brigade-fuel-protesters-delays-responding-emergencies-7006656-Apr2026/

I'm sure it's probably a smaller proportion that cause the issues tbh. But also it wouldn't have come to mind until I've sort of been in that scenario.

How would you measure a good protest?

I’d measure its effectiveness, and so far, it’s not been at all effective in achieving its stated objectives. If anything, the only thing it has achieved is the complete opposite of it’s stated objectives, with Government’s refusal to negotiate with them.

I don't hear the same posters complaining about hospital wait times or ambulance capacity when there isn't a protest.

That’s only because you aren’t paying attention. The crucial difference is that people complaining about hospital waiting times and ambulance capacity aren’t only thinking of themselves; the same cannot be said of people who are only thinking of themselves when they imagine they should be able to hold the country to ransom until their demands are met.

YeaYeah but you must acknowledge that the negotiations haven't even begun. The Dail is on easter recess.

Would you be someone who give up on everything if you got get everything you want immediately?

I'll see how the negotiations pan out before passing judgement on whether it was successful or not.

welcome to the Internet of 2026. Destroyed by AI and bots.

Obviously I want you to expand on what you consider reasonable.

YeaYeah but you must acknowledge that the negotiations haven't even begun. The Dail is on easter recess. 

I don’t have to acknowledge that negotiations haven’t begun. That would require me to assume that they will begin at some point in the future.

Would you be someone who give up on everything if you got get everything you want immediately? 

No. I’ve also never behaved like I’m more important than everyone else.

Anyone complaining about protests now might be protesting themselves when their food shopping doubles or triples in price in the not too distant future.

Blocking the depots might just push the wider public against them.

No-one's going to be in favour of higher fuel prices so they're already on to a winner. I feel the Government could do more to control prices; the 15/20c reduction was just for show and has largely been wiped off at most petrol stations. Isn't there lots of money lying about in the state coffers? Surely they could subsidise fuel for the duration of this war until prices stabilise?

However, I acknowledge this situation is largely beyond their control and Trump isn't going to listen to the protesters or the Government. A targeted protest, as mentioned, at the Dail and American embassy would be better, properly inconvenience those with actual power and/or influence, however minuscule or ineffective that might be. At least it's pointed in the right direction.

Bringing the entire country to a standstill when everyone already agrees with you is idiotic. And I get the feeling this organisation has been haphazard and slapdash. I also wonder if they have a prepared and agreed list of demands to hand to the Government if they get a chance.