Government finalising ‘appropriate intervention’ in response to rising fuel and oil costs – The Irish Times

The Government is finalising “an appropriate intervention” to deal with the surge in oil and fuel costs, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.

He told the Dáil it would be agreed at the next Cabinet meeting, likely on Tuesday.

Harris, who is Minister for Finance was speaking after Sinn Féin introduced emergency legislation to cut excise on oil and fuel for six months and a private members’ debate on the issue.

“I want to confirm to this house that we are now finalising what we believe to be an appropriate intervention, for the areas in which is there is most acute pressure and challenge,” the Tánaiste said.

He “strongly” believed any intervention should “be for a short period of time,” to allow assistance be applied quickly and “to provide the Government with the time and space to adapt our response, should that be required”.

Minister for Energy Darragh O’Brien said “we will bring forward supports next week for households and for businesses in a targeted, structured and sustainable way”.

He said Ireland has 90 days’ supply of oil but in relation to home heating oil prices, “unquestionably we’re unusually exposed to increases because we are heavily reliant on kerosene for residential heat”.

“Kerosene accounts for over 90 per cent of home heating oil” and Ireland is also the largest user of kerosene for home heating in Europe.

This “points” to the areas “that we really need to assist people”, he said.

Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty who introduced the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill said they were two weeks into a crisis when workers and families “are getting absolutely hammered by skyrocketing petrol, diesel and home heating oil”.

He said the people could not wait any longer for a “dithering” Government.

Earlier, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said the Government would consider cutting excise duties in response to the surge in fuel and oil costs,

However, he told Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald that any such measures that are ultimately introduced would be targeted at “individuals who need them the most”.

He said there would not be a “knee jerk” response to a deadline from Sinn Féin or others but a considered and “united Government” response.

McDonald claimed, during their exchange in the Dáil on Wednesday, that the Government “dithers and delays” while prices “have spun out of control” because of the US-Israeli war against Iran.

The Minister also defended the Taoiseach’s performance in the White House for St Patrick’s Day as Labour leader Ivana Bacik and People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett criticised Micheál Martin.

Bacik said he was “silent” and “utterly sidelined” while “US president Trump ranted and raved about Europe, Nato, wind farms, Keir Starmer, immigration and much more”.

Boyd Barrett said there was “not a single word of criticism of the flagrant murderous breaches of international law in which Trump and Israel are engaged”.

O’Callaghan said the Taoiseach delivered “a very important message”.

“I thought it was a real advantage for the Taoiseach to be there yesterday, as the leader of a European country that is not a member of Nato,” he said.

“I think he did Ireland and Europe proud in terms of setting out the values of Europe and indeed in setting back some of the rhetoric of president Trump, which, as everyone can appreciate, can be difficult at times.”

On energy price surges, the Sinn Féin leader said “people are under massive pressure right here and right now, but the Taoiseach says that it’s too early to act.” She added: “My God, I’ve never heard anything quite so detached or disconnected.”

Highlighting the dramatic increase in prices, she said “petrol is hitting €2 a litre, diesel hitting €2.17 a litre, home heating oil close to €900 for half a fill – unaffordable, crushing prices.”

The Dublin Central TD said up to 60 per cent of what people pay at the pumps goes to the Government in taxes and in one week it took in an additional €38 million as a result.

“It’s blindingly obvious what you need to do,” she said to “pick up” and “implement” Sinn Féin’s Bill.

O’Callaghan, taking Leaders’ Questions for the Taoiseach, confirmed the Government would respond. But “what we’re not going to do is engage in a knee jerk response”.

“But it’s also important to note, that any measures that are going to be introduced, we hope, will be targeted at individuals who need them the most.”