‘Concrete measures’ to tackle energy prices to be announced next week

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The Government will bring in “concrete measures” on Tuesday to tackle the rising cost of oil and gas, the Tánaiste has said.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Simon Harris said a “series of measures” are planned to help with price rises triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

Asked if people in Ireland would see “concrete measures in place” on Tuesday, he replied: “Correct, yes, they will.”

Harris said the measures would be short-term and targeted in three areas: petrol and diesel prices; helping those most at risk of fuel poverty’ and assisting “core parts” of the economy like the haulage sector.

He said the Government would work over the weekend to finalise the package, adding he is in “constant contact” with the Taoiseach, relevant ministers and the Department of Finance.

I have yet to meet anybody in the world who can predict with any degree of certainty where this conflict is going to go, how long it's going to go on, for the depths with which it's going to reach

Prices at the pumps have “gone through the roof”, Harris said, and cause “a real sense of anxiety”.

Addressing those most in need, he said: “There are some people in this country at greater risk of fuel poverty than others and the fuel allowance has been a good way of assisting on that.”

He also said the Government will support the haulage sector because of the potential economic impact if supply chains are disrupted.

The measures have to be short-term, he said, in order to “take stock, see where the economy is at, see where our European counterparts are at” and to “have an ability to adapt demand and revise as is needed”.

He added: “I have yet to meet anybody in the world who can predict with any degree of certainty where this conflict is going to go, how long it’s going to go on, for the depths with which it’s going to reach, and therefore the full economic consequences.”