The prospect of tougher times ahead for the Government is not unlikely as it looks weaker and more brittle

Tensions not exclusive to the Coalition as Sinn Féin and Social Democrats find themselves walking a tightrope

Mounting concern within Department of Finance that budget numbers now ‘meaningless’

Demonstrators’ blockades only lifted after Garda action and €500m of Government supports

Coalition denies latest measures a direct response to blockades, but faces further headaches

Every political problem faced by recent governments has been solved – to a greater or lesser extent – by finding money to throw at it. What happens if that dries up?

Fuel protests movement vows to extend disruptive actions into weekend as talks under way for solution

Further relief measures possible, but only through established channels

Opposition parties called for engagement with demonstrators but there is distrust of them within Cabinet

Ministers insist they will only speak to organisations such as Irish Road Hauliers Association and Irish Farmers Association

Green Party says move is ‘death’ of climate act

Next decision on financial aid not expected until expiry of measures brought in a fortnight ago

This is the way our politics works now – a constant stream of demand and response

The cost of the overspend will have to be met from reducing spending increases elsewhere – a development likely to infuriate Ministers

ESRI and Central Bank issue concerning data in wake of fuel price rise