Alan Healy: When money is no object, policy gets sloppy

The instinct, when any issue arises, is to reach for the chequebook quickly, broadly, without too much targeting

The Tanaiste has hinted that a decision to extend excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel could be taken by the Government to avoid a “cliff edge” for motorists.  Picture Chani Anderson

The Tanaiste Simon Harris was in the Dáil this week, hinting that a decision to extend excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel could be taken by the Government to avoid a “cliff edge” for motorists when they expire on July 31.

Mr Harris said he accepts that “nobody can absorb a full 32c” increase in fuel prices, but said we “cannot ignore” that petrol and diesel prices have started to fall in recent days.