Fleming may be sorry for 'shop around' gaffe, but he was reflecting Government policy

Ministers have recently advised the public to switch energy suppliers

Junior finance minister Sean Fleming issued an apology for his 'rather than just complaining' remark. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Government is keen to dampen expectations about the scope of its widely anticipated plan to tackle the cost of living, which will be unveiled on Thursday.

There is no doubt that Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his Cabinet ministers want to intervene in order to tackle rising prices — because it has become a major political issue if nothing else. Yet there is some concern that the Government getting involved directly through price controls or tax cuts is unsustainable or would set a bad precedent.