GOVERNMENT MINISTERS HAVE signed off on the extension of cuts to fuel taxes in a package costing an additional €407 million that will run until the end of February 2027.

The Dáil will be recalled on Friday to vote on the measure. 

The temporary reductions to fuel excise, which were extended in June and originally due to end in September, will now remain in place until 31 October 2026. 

From 1 November, excise rates will be restored on a phased basis rather than in a single increase, with the restoration taking place over four stages and concluding at the end of February 2027.

As part of the measures agreed today, the reduction to the NORA levy has also been extended until 31 October 2026, while the enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme has also been extended until the end of December 2026.

The cuts were introduced in response to protests against high fuel prices in April that included the blockading of an oil refinery in Cork.

Following the protests, the government increased temporary fuel excise cuts to 32c on a litre of diesel and 27c for petrol. The cuts came as part of a wider fuel support package of €750 million.

Taoiseach Michéal Martin said today’s announcement will help to protect families and businesses from further short-term increases in petrol and diesel costs, due to the continuing international pressure on oil prices.

Tánaiste Simon Harris stressed that the measures are temporary and that the gradual restoration from November “strikes the right balance between recognising the pressures people continue to face and managing the public finances carefully”.

“We will continue to keep developments in global energy markets under close review and remain ready to respond as circumstances evolve,” Harris said.

Had the restoration of excise rates gone ahead as planned in September, it would have added 10 cent to a litre of diesel and 9 cent to a litre of petrol.

With reporting from David Mac Redmond