cost of living rose to the centre of talks on Monday (ET) as Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government is preparing a package of measures in Washington to help people on lower incomes hit by rising energy prices. He gave no timescale but stressed any help would be “targeted” and designed to avoid long-term budget strain. The remarks came as fuel and home-heating oil prices climbed after strikes on Iran began more than two weeks earlier.
Cost Of Living: Government weighing targeted energy support
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said the Government would “certainly want to help” those on lower incomes and is working on a measured package of measures, but stopped short of committing to specifics. Martin said the preferred approach is to target resources where they will be most effective and to take account of longer-term budget impacts. He said: “I’m very clear, I’m always a believer in, if you’re doing something, prepare it properly, announce it when it’s ready, and that would be my approach in terms of doing something. “
Immediate reactions from senior officials
Tánaiste Simon Harris, after meeting the UK chancellor in Downing Street, outlined possible options the Government is considering if the conflict in Iran drags on, including extending the fuel allowance season that is due to end in April and a potential reduction in fuel excise. Harris also downplayed a British plan to spend funds to help households with home-heating oil, saying the intervention “has to be seen in the context of the size of the UK”.
On the wider security questions raised by regional attacks, Martin ruled out Irish military involvement in operations to keep the Strait of Hormuz open: “We’re not a military power. We don’t have that offensive military capacity in any shape or form. So obviously that’s not something that’s on our agenda. ” He called for a peaceful resolution and warned of global economic implications and energy-price increases.
Quick context
Fuel and home-heating oil prices have risen sharply since US and Israel began a campaign of strikes on Iran more than two weeks ago, prompting calls from Opposition politicians and lobby groups for Government intervention to ease the burden. The Taoiseach made the remarks while attending business events in Washington as part of a four-day visit for St Patrick’s Day, where many Irish and US business leaders are gathered to discuss investment.
What’s next
The Government is preparing measures but has given no timescale for implementation; ministers say any response will be “measured” and targeted to those most under pressure. Watch for formal announcements after the package is finalised and for further statements from Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris as ministers weigh options to ease the cost of living and guard budgetary sustainability. (Monday ET)
