Taoiseach says any help on energy prices will target those 'most in need'

Measures to ease pressure on fuel costs for people would be targeted at those “most in need”, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin has said the Government is keeping all options “under active review” to deal with the energy price surge, saying he understands that people are “under a lot of pressure”.

“Obviously we have to see how things evolve. It’s been volatile and we have to look at it both in the short term and medium term, because there could be second round inflationary impacts as a result of the impact of the war, particularly oil and gas prices,” Mr Martin said.

“Anything we do, we want to target and make sure that we target and help those most in need and those furthest behind and who will be most impacted.

“But there are a number of potential issues that we have to address and we are looking at it.” 

The Taoiseach declined to set out when the Government would act on the matter, but said there would be talks between EU leaders in the middle of next week. He highlighted that after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and the resulting energy shock, the Government did not immediately move on cost-of-living measures.

Mr Martin said there is a “very complex framework” that results in Ireland having a higher energy price than the rest of the EU, particularly citing the EU’s Emissions Trading System.

Asked about recent comments by EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, who called on individual countries to cut taxes on energy to help reduce costs, Mr Martin reiterated that the Government is keeping “everything under active review”.

He said the Government would not be reversing any Budget 2026 measures to pay for possible cost-of-living measures, while highlighting it extended the lower Vat rate on gas and electricity out to 2030.

“Any response will be looked at broadly in terms of revenues and expenses,” Mr Martin added.

Mr Martin is currently in Philadelphia on the Government’s annual visit to the United States for St Patrick’s Day.

The Taoiseach said he would be discussing the ongoing war in Iran with US president Donald Trump when he visits the White House on Tuesday, saying the Government wants to see “de-escalation”.

“We want this brought to a conclusion very, very quickly, We want civilian lives protected… We prefer the diplomatic route and we would like to see a resolution of this,” Mr Martin said.

However, Mr Martin said the Iranian regime was “repressive” and it had murdered thousands of its own civilians in recent years.