Over 1,000 people attended a meeting in Moate, Westmeath, where fuel protesters warned they will return to the roads if the government does not cut carbon tax in the upcoming budget. Organizers want the tax removed from food production, citing high fuel costs for farmers and fishermen. The government had already introduced a 32 cent diesel cut and rebates after April's protests, but protesters say these measures are insufficient. The carbon tax is set to rise to €71 per tonne on October 14, ahead of the budget on October 6. The article highlights the tension between climate policy and rural economic concerns. It raises questions about how to balance decarbonization with support for industries affected by fuel costs, and whether the government's surplus could be used to ease the transition.
