National Emergency Coordination Group meets on traffic and transport disruption. 13 April 2026.

The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) met again today (Monday, 13 April) to review and coordinate the remaining impacts of the disruption caused by the blockades on the transport network and critical national infrastructure. The NECG brings together all relevant Government Departments and State agencies to coordinate the response to emergencies.

Blockades at all Irish ports have now ended, and significant work is underway to process the accumulated cargo. It will take several days before the affected ports are fully back to normal operations.

The Minister for Transport has approved an extension of the temporary derogation from certain driving hours and rest period requirements to cover the delivery of all goods within Ireland. This is to provide some flexibility for drivers in these urgent and exceptional circumstances and support the full recovery of the national energy and food supply chain during a period of intensive pressures, whilst also balancing driver welfare and road safety objectives. It widens the derogation approved on 11 April for road hauliers transporting liquid fuel used for home heating oil or as a propellant within Ireland.

Fuel is now moving well from the key sites formerly under blockade, but it will take several days for distribution to return to normal. The Government/Industry Group established on the restoration of fuel industry distribution/logistics met again today to discuss any remaining challenges to fuel distribution. The group is comprised of relevant Government Departments as well as representatives from Fuels for Ireland, National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland and An Garda Síochána.
It remains important for members of the public to only buy the fuel they need as local stocks are replenished. This will help to secure access to fuel for essential workers and sectors.

Public transport is now fully operational, with Dublin Bus services and Luas services running as normal. The National Transport Authority has a dedicated web page for information on service disruptions. The public can also check https://traffic.tii.ie/ for general traffic alerts.

Arrangements remain in place to ensure that principal response agencies such as the National Ambulance Service, the Fire Service and the Irish Coast Guard can access fuel as required. This is being coordinated through a sub-group of the NECG, which is coordinating contingency measures to address any fuel supply issues facing emergency services.

The HSE is assuring patients that all services are continuing and operational. Unless patients hear from the HSE they can assume their appointment is going ahead. People are encouraged to allow more travel time to get to appointments, and services will do their best to be flexible with appointment times but are under pressure. The HSE is advising people who missed appointments due to the disruption to contact the relevant service that they had their appointment for, and they will be facilitated with getting another appointment quickly. The Department of Health is working with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to monitor any impacts on the supply of medicines and are satisfied that pharmacies are receiving deliveries. If a patient has any concerns about their medicine, they are encouraged to speak with their pharmacist or GP. The requirement for blood donations continues and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is urging the public to continue supporting their local blood donation clinics by making a much-needed donation, it may save a life. If you have made an appointment to donate blood, please attend if possible. Details of clinics are available at https://www.giveblood.ie

Practical examinations for Leaving Certificate Music and Junior Cycle Home Economics scheduled for Tuesday, 14 April, and subsequent days will go ahead as planned. Schools have been updated. Where local or individual issues arise because of disruptions, these will be managed at local level, and the Department of Education and Youth would like to reassure any students impacted that they will have the opportunity to complete their practical examinations.

The agriculture, food, fisheries, and forestry sectors experienced significant difficulties during the blockades. However, it is expected that agri-food supply chains will return to operate normally in the coming days. The NECG will meet again tomorrow as it continues to monitor the situation and will provide regular updates to Government.

ENDS