Sinn Féin has said the motion of no confidence in the Government is about bringing the voice of the people into the Dáil, as two pro-Government independents refuse to declare support.
The Dáil is set to vote tomorrow on a confidence motion in the Government over its ongoing handling of the fuel crisis.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty said it is very clear that the Government is "still not prepared to actually make the necessary steps and take the necessary steps to make fuel affordable".
Mr Doherty said his party stood with "ordinary people the length and breadth of the country" in protesting against the cost of fuel.
He said that his party "supported the people" and for many people while the protests were about fuel, it was also about cost-of-living increases across the board.
Mr Doherty said that "people were forced to take to the streets because of the Government's inaction and a Government who basically dug its heels [in] and forced what we have seen as unprecedented protests right across the State".
He said that the Government made matters worse.
"They went from insulting people to demeaning them, to threatening them with the Army, to refusing to talk to people and try and resolve this.
"And that's why over the days, we see more and more people, ordinary people, fathers and mothers out and saying that they've had enough," added Mr Doherty.
His comments come as the Chief Executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, which represents over 1,500 retailers including 300 filling stations, has warned it is going to take "quite some time" before things return to normal.
There were further fuel protests in different parts of the country this morning, however, Communications Director of Transport Infrastructure Ireland Sean O'Neill said that delays are nowhere near the levels of last week.
Fuel Protests: Follow live updates
Two pro-Government Independents refuse to declare support
People Before Profit has called on Independent TDs to stand up for their constituents and vote no confidence in the Government.
The calls come as two Independent TDs supporting the Government refused to confirm if they will vote confidence in the coalition tomorrow night.
Meath East TD Gillian Toole would only say that she is weighing everything up at the moment.
While Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae said that people are still very angry and this is a very tough time for everyone.
He added that he cannot give a straight answer at this point but believes there is a view on the ground that Taoiseach Micheál Martin has lost touch with the people.
Richard Boyd Barrett said that the vote is a test for Independents to show if they are "more than just Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in disguise" or whether they are representing ordinary people.
Speaking at an event to launch the party's proposals on tackling the cost of living, he insisted that it is a "big test" for Independents and that people should "put maximum pressure on these so-called independents to decide which side they are on".
Party colleague Paul Murphy also said Independents need to decide which side they are on.
"I think there are real questions for the Independents. I think the Independents have to recognise that if they vote confidence in this Government they are likely to pay a very, very serious price at the next general election," he said.
Deputy Boyd Barrett also called for a new phase of protest by workers, trade unions and households he said have been left behind by the Government.
He said it was time for a repeat of the tax marches of the 1980s to force Government to give a meaningful break to working-class people amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Asked if trade unions and other groups should become involved in blockades similar to those seen in recent days, he said that was a matter for discussion.
"Certainly we are in favour of robust tactics that really force the cost-of-living crisis into the face of this Government," he added.
Government defends response
The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is meeting in Leinster House this lunchtime ahead of the confidence vote.
Some TDs at the meeting expressed disappointment at the Government's initial response to the fuel protests last week, including Galway West TD John Connolly who described recent events last week as "very disappointing".
There were also calls at the meeting that any further costs such as State exam fees should be reversed given the cost of living crisis.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has accused Opposition parties of supporting the blockade of ports and the country's only oil refinery last week which almost led to a scarcity of fuel in the country.
Yesterday, the Government signed off on more than €500m in measures to support those struggling with rising energy costs as it opened the public purse to assuage public anger.
There will also be direct fuel payments to hauliers, bus operators, farmers, agricultural contractors and those involved in fisheries.
The big move by the Government was a further 10c cut in excise duty on both petrol and diesel to the end of July.
There will also be a new reduction of 2.4c on green diesel.
Carbon tax increases have been delayed until the Budget in October.
Some farming, haulier and bus operator representatives have welcomed the Government announcement.
Watch: Blockades put Ireland within two days of losing refining capacity - Taoiseach
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence said Ireland was one of the first countries to respond to the global fuel crisis and the cumulative package of over three quarters of a billion euro is the highest per capita in Europe.
Helen McEntee denied accusations that this is a "put together package" and said the Government had engaged strongly with many sectors in order to ensure everyone is helped.
"Government have from the very outset of what is a global crisis - a conflict happening in the Middle East, something that's impacting not just Ireland, but every other country - have been very clear that we want to support people.
Ireland was one of first countries to respond to global fuel crisis - McEntee
"That's why the initial package of €250m that was announced a couple of weeks ago, we said very clearly, was initial and that we wanted to do more."
Ms McEntee said the situation is a very difficult one for everyone because of the extremely volatile global situation.
However, she added, there should have been a price drop at the pumps last week when the Iran ceasefire came into play but this was not seen because of the blockades.
Govt misread situation, says Independent Ireland TD
The leader of Independent Ireland said the Government misread the situation three weeks ago and the proposed package of measures will not result in any direct payment into people's pockets.
Michael Collins said he supported peaceful protests last week that were designed to "make the Government wake up" and understand the crisis in the country.
The TD for Cork South West said he also supported blockades last week, although Independent Ireland did not call for them.
As long as people are protesting peacefully, I will support them, he said.
He said Independent Ireland will support Sinn Féin's motion of no confidence.
Mr Collins said he had urged protesters in Portlaoise to "hold off" as talks continue.
