Employers group Ibec has urged an immediate de-escalation of the nationwide fuel protest, adding that the protests are counterproductive and damaging to businesses and the economy.
Ibec said the protest - now in its third day - is presenting significant cost and operational disruption which is already impacting on supply chains, while also presenting health and safety risks to workers.
It said its members across critical business supply chains such as food, medicines and construction are all reporting growing risks to production processes within the coming 24 to 48 hours unless the protests are removed from essential infrastructure such as ports, industrial zones and transport hubs.
Some sites have already ceased production, it noted.
"Beyond the obvious disruption that has forced organisations to alter work patterns to limit overall operational impact, the protests have caused significant access issues for several large industrial areas," Ibec said.
"Restricting access to these facilities poses a major risk to health and safety, particularly in emergency situations where ease of entry is critical. Many employees have been unable to access their work places and some employers are reporting up to 50% forced absenteeism rates," it added.
Fergal O'Brien, Ibec's Director of Lobbying and Influence, said that supply chains are being hit hard due to the port and other blockades and high value production process in the food, pharma and construction sector are all at imminent risk.
"This will have immediate knock-on costs and disruption for the agriculture and construction, sectors, in particular, and coupled with wider costs across the economy to the retail and hospitality sectors, it will lead to significant economic costs which will ultimately undermine the State's revenue base and Government’s ability to support those most impacted by the global energy crisis," he said.
"The protests are counterproductive and damaging to businesses and the economy, including our investment reputation," he noted.
