Fuel contingency plans urged as Jon Burrows calls on Stormont leaders to prepare for possible shortages

Ulster Unionist Party Leader & North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows

Northern Ireland’s First Minister and deputy First Minister are being urged to begin immediate civil contingency planning amid growing concern over the risk of potential fuel shortages linked to the escalating geopolitical crisis in the Middle East.

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA has written directly to Stormont’s joint leaders calling for emergency preparedness measures to be activated now, warning that any disruption to fuel supply could have serious consequences for emergency services, key workers, transport networks and wider communities across Northern Ireland in the weeks and months ahead.

The intervention comes as fears mount over the impact of rising global instability on fuel markets, with Burrows arguing that early planning is essential to protect critical services before any crisis materialises.

In a strongly worded statement, the North Antrim MLA said the Executive must move now rather than wait for shortages to emerge.

“There has been considerable concern in recent days regarding the potential of fuel shortages in Northern Ireland. On Monday, I wrote directly to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, urging them to initiate civil contingency planning to address any disruption that could affect individuals and communities across the province.

“Where there is a foreseeable risk with serious consequences, leadership requires early and decisive action, not delayed reaction. That is the purpose of civil contingencies.

“Being prepared is not alarmist; it is responsible governance.”

Potential impact on essential services

Burrows warned that if fuel shortages were to develop, the Executive would need clear operational plans in place to ensure frontline services continue to function.

He said planning must urgently establish who would receive priority access to fuel, how essential services would be maintained, how disruption to everyday life would be minimised, and how critical infrastructure would be protected.

“If fuel shortages arise, the Executive must clearly establish:

• Who will receive priority access to fuel

• How essential services will be maintained

• How disruption to everyday life will be minimised

• How critical infrastructure will be protected

“Emergency services and critical infrastructure workers must be prioritised, and that planning must take place now, rather than in the midst of a crisis. It is far better to prepare for potential scenarios than to respond without a plan.”

The warning raises significant questions around the resilience of Northern Ireland’s public services should supply chains come under sustained pressure, particularly for ambulance crews, police, fire services, hospital transport, and other essential workers who rely on uninterrupted access to fuel.

Call for civil contingencies framework to be activated

In his formal letter to the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Burrows explicitly called for the commencement of Northern Ireland’s civil contingencies framework.

The letter states that, while the threat remains a potential risk rather than an active shortage, the scale of possible disruption means preparedness measures should begin immediately.

He wrote: “As you are aware, due to the current geo political crisis in the Middle East, there has been a sharp rise in the immediate demand for fuel. With the possibility the situation could worsen, including potential fuel shortages which impact our public sector critical infrastructure including emergency services, transport and our key workers ability to get to their place of work.

“Whilst it is important to understand that currently these are only potential risks, because of the potentially significant impact, if they were to materialize, it is vital that contingency planning start immediately.”

The UUP leader said the earliest possible planning is essential to identify risks, coordinate stakeholders and ensure mitigation measures can be deployed without delay.

“It is well established that the earliest possible planning is critical to the timely identification and mitigation of risks.”

Measures proposed

Among the measures proposed in the letter are priority fuel access for blue-light services and key workers, protections for critical infrastructure, safeguards to prevent panic buying, and the identification of stakeholders across the public, private and third sectors.

Burrows said these preparations should include:

• Ensuring priority fuel access for all blue-light services and key workers

• Protection of critical infrastructure

• Measures to prevent panic buying

• Identification of all relevant stakeholders across public, private and third sector

He said the duty of political leadership is to prepare for foreseeable risks before they escalate.

“My party and I feel strongly that the earliest possible contingency planning is vital to ensure the maximum readiness if fuel shortages materialise.

“It is the duty of leaders to lead and now is the time to identify foreseeable risks and take the opportunity to mitigate those risks, in order to protect our communities and our economy.”

Pressure on Stormont leadership

The call places pressure on the Executive Office to clarify whether contingency protocols are already under consideration and what planning, if any, is underway.

Burrows concluded his intervention with a direct appeal for confirmation that emergency preparedness measures are being initiated.

“I look forward to confirmation that you are instigating emergency preparedness planning to mitigate the effects of any potential fuel shortage in the weeks and months ahead.”

His public intervention is likely to intensify political scrutiny over Stormont’s preparedness for any external supply shock, particularly as international tensions continue to affect global energy markets.

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At a glance

• Jon Burrows MLA has written to the First Minister and deputy First Minister

• He is calling for immediate fuel shortage contingency planning

• Concerns are linked to the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East

• Risks include disruption to emergency services and key workers

• Proposed measures include priority fuel access and anti-panic buying plans

• Critical infrastructure protection is a key focus

• No fuel shortage has been confirmed at present

• Burrows says planning must begin before any crisis develops