COST-OF-LIVING measures to help with the rising costs of fuel are being worked on by the government, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has indicated today. 

Speaking to reporters in Washington DC, the Taoiseach gave the strongest hint yet that measures are on the way, but said he didn’t want to “raise expectations” either. 

Reluctant to give further details, he told the media: 

We have to do this in a measured, balanced way that targets our resources and that is effective.

While he said he would not give any further clarity today on the package, he reiterated that the government is working on the issue and keeping it on the review.

“We understand the pressure people are under,” he added. 

“I’m very clear, I’m always a believer if you are doing something, prepare it properly, announce it when it’s ready, and that would be my approach in terms of what’s the most effective way to protect people who need protection, as well as protecting the economy and as well as avoiding creating inflationary pressures,” he added. 

His comments come after Tánaiste Simon Harris said yesterday in London:

“We’re preparing a number of measures that could be deployed in various scenarios.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a subsidy today for those who use heating oil to warm their homes.

Starmer also said that energy bills will be capped to the end of June, saving the average household £170 (€196).

It was pointed out to the Taoiseach that other countries, such as the UK, were making announcements to tackle rising costs. 

Responding, the Taoiseach criticised the measures announced by governments in the past, during the Ukrainian crisis, “particularly the UK Government, the previous UK government”, who he said “got into all sorts of difficulties, real difficulties, that had still impact to this present day”.

He said the UK government came at the previous energy crisis in a “botched way”.  

Targeted approach

Martin said it is not just about planning for the short-term, stating that the government has to look at medium-term measures and what impact it has on the overall budget. 

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“We want a targeted approach at one level, where we understand that people are under a lot of pressure… those on low incomes, we certainly want to help… I don’t want to say too much, because there will be further discussions around government.

“We’re two weeks into this conflict, we moved more comprehensively than others did during the Ukraine crisis. So as I said, we keep this under active review.,” he concluded. 

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty said last week that tackling the soaring cost of home heating oil, petrol and diesel will be the first item of business for Sinn Féin when the Dáil returns this Wednesday. 

Doherty said families and workers across the state are being hammered by spiralling fuel costs, while the government stands by and does absolutely nothing.

He said urgent action is required to protect households already struggling through a severe cost-of-living crisis.

Sinn Féin has brought forward legislation to tackle the crisis.

“I introduced the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill, which would cut excise on petrol, diesel and home heating oil in order to bring prices down and provide immediate relief to households,” said Doherty.