THERE ARE NO plans for the government to alter its advice around remote working or travel in the midst of a spiralling energy crisis, according to Tánaiste Simon Harris. 

Speaking to reporters in Nenagh in Tipperary today, Harris said the Covid-19 emergency was ”a very different situation”.

While the energy crisis is a “challenging situation”, and one that is greater than the world has ever seen, it does not warrant the same response. 

Remote working and motoring

There are no plans to adapt people’s travel schedules, Harris said, though he stated that many people are adapting their own behaviours due to the cost of fuel right now. 

“We’re not intending to change the work-from-home rules and structures that are in place. I think employers generally exercise a fair degree of common sense here,” he said.

“Companies and the public services have to make sure that they can continue to run and continue to operate, whilst also respecting that work from home is an important proposition that’s been built up in this country now over quite a number of years. So I’m satisfied around the current structures in place,” said Harris. 

He outlined a briefing he received from the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) which said the current energy crisis is larger than the 1973 and 1976 oil crises and the 2022 gas crisis combined.

The energy crisis is “ongoing and worsening by the day”, he added, stating that he had to be honest with the Irish people that there are challenging times ahead. 

“We will respond in Ireland. We will get through this in Ireland. We get through it from a position of strength. But I do have to advise the Irish people that really, the only sensible, responsible course of action to take is step-by-step, and we’re continuing to engage,” Harris added. 

His comments come as the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reported today that inflation in Ireland jumped this month due to the surge in energy prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.

The flash estimates from the latest EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) show prices rose by 3.6% when compared with the same month last year.

This is up from a rate of 2.5% in February.

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“There’s no supply concerns in Europe today. But again, what if we’re having this conversation many months down the road, and infrastructure is still being destroyed in the Middle East and the Gulf region, and energy supply is disrupted, so we’re keeping all measures under review,” said the Tánaiste. 

Energy conservation advice

While there will be no specific advice around remote working or travel habits for workers, the government may move to provide advice, as it did at the outbreak of war in Ukraine, around the conservation of energy.

“That may well be necessary again, but as of now, the focus is on trying to seek a de-escalation of the conflict and prepare for the various economic outcomes,” said the Tánaiste.

Former environment minister Eamon Ryan launched his “Reduce Your Use” campaign in 2022 as part of a government initiative targeting energy conservation in Ireland.

It advised households to use appliances outside peak hours, with the minister also advising motorists to drive slower to save on fuel.