GERMANY’S CHANCELLOR HAS said he is confident that Ireland is prepared for a “very good” European Union presidency, despite significant security demands.

Friedrich Merz was responding to a question about Ireland’s ability to host major events associated with the role, given the sudden and widespread disruption caused by fuel protests last week.

Farmers, bus drivers and hauliers were among thousands of protesters who blocked key roads and fuel depots for days. The government’s response garnered criticism from the public and politicians alike, and sparked questions about domestic security.

The Taoiseach and Chancellor Merz held a joint press conference after a meeting in Berlin today that largely centred Ireland’s upcoming presidency.

“It’s very often the smaller countries that have had very successful presidencies of the European Union,” Merz said.

“So far, I believe that given the priorities that Ireland has set itself for the presidency and the very intensive preparation for its presidency, we’re looking forward to a very good presidency.”

Ireland is set to host high-profile guests across its six-month presidency, which begins in July.

Gardaí classified more than 40 events as needing major security operations – with six of those requiring the highest possible level of military and police coverage.

Several major sporting and social events are to take place in the same timeframe, piling pressure on gardaí and the Defence Forces.

Gardaí in the past have been forced to cancel leave and divide the force into two – hundreds of members to police an event and skeleton teams left behind at their stations.

If another large-scale protest like last week’s was thrown into the mix, it could be difficult for the force to cope.

However, Merz asserted that he’s not worried.

“My impression is that the Irish government has prepared itself well,” he said.

“Yes, we know that there is opposition in member countries against some of the priorities we set ourselves, but that is what political leadership is about – explaining to the population that not everything is possible.”

When asked by reporters about criticism over his handling of the fuel protests, the Taoiseach said: “Government was faced with a very significant dilemma last week in terms of vital critical infrastructure being blockaded.

“We had an obligation to our people and to the state to make sure that those blockades on the volume refinery, in the middle of a supply crisis, would not stop refining, and we were warned it would come because of ceasing refining.

“We had to lift the blockades,” he added.

“No one anticipated the nature and scale of the protests and blockades, and there are many genuine people involved, because they are under pressure.”

Martin hammered home that the fuel price hikes were caused by the conflict in the Middle East. He and Merz said ending the war is a priority for the EU.