I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that the Government: — remains deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Gulf; — continues to seek de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy so that these issues can be resolved; — recognises and understands the pressures that have arisen due to rising fuel costs as a result of war in Ukraine and the Middle East, on all families and businesses; — affirms that energy affordability is a priority for this Government, and highlights that successive Budgets have provided targeted support to help households with cost-of-living pressures; — remains committed to decarbonising our society, increasing investment in renewable energy sources, and using revenues raised to protect those most vulnerable to fuel poverty through targeted welfare interventions; recognises that: — carbon tax is a key pillar underpinning the Government's Climate Action Plan to halve emissions by 2030, and reach net zero no later than 2050; — analysis undertaken using SWITCH, the ESRI tax and benefit model, to simulate the impact of the carbon tax increase, and the compensatory welfare package estimates that the net impact of the combined measures is progressive and that half of households are better off due to the measures part-funded by additional carbon tax funds, with households in the bottom four income deciles benefitting the most; and — in the long run the best way to protect Ireland from the impact of international fossil fuel prices is to reduce our dependence on them, which will be achieved through the progressive decarbonisation of the Irish economy and society, and through the steps that will be taken to meet the Government's commitment to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; further notes that the previous package of supports announced by Government on 24th March, included measures that: — reduced the Mineral Oil Tax applying to petrol, diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO) by 15, 20 and 3 cents, respectively, on a Value-Added Tax (VAT) inclusive basis, until 31st May, at a cost of €150 million; — reduced the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) levy by nearly 2 cents, at a cost of €20 million in income forgone to NORA; — reduced the cost of petrol, diesel and MGO at the pump by 17, 22 and 5 cents in total, on a VAT inclusive basis; — provided targeted relief to haulage and bus passenger operators, by increasing the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme from 7.5 cent up to 12 cent per litre of diesel, for the first two quarters of 2026, at a cost of €10 million; and — extended the fuel allowance season by four weeks, to provide essential support to those most vulnerable to fuel poverty, at a cost of €70 million; highlights that newly introduced measures will extend the duration of the reduced mineral oil tax rates from the end of May until the end of July, and apply further reductions to these rates by, on a VAT inclusive basis, 10 cent per litre on petrol, 10 cent per litre on diesel and 2.4 cent per litre on MGO, at an estimated cost of €260 million; and furthermore, notes that the combined effect of the measures announced on 24th March, and on 12th April, are to: — reduce the cost of diesel by 32 cent; — reduce the cost of petrol by 27 cent; — reduce the cost of MGO by 7.4 cent; — postpone the increase in carbon tax scheduled for 1st May, until the Budget in October, at an estimated cost of €22 million; — enhance the Transport Support Schemes for all haulage operators, local link and school transport providers, and some commercial operators, at a monthly cost of €40 million; — introduce a Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme for farming and fisheries, at a cost of €100 million, to ensure that those most exposed to fuel price increases will receive meaningful assistance at the most critical time of year; — be a significant response to real pressures being felt here, and globally; — be one of the most comprehensive support packages in the European Union; and — directly help people impacted by this unprecedented global crisis in energy supply resulting from the war in the Middle East.". I acknowledge this is very real for people across the country. The pressures, stress and genuine financial strain arising from fuel costs are putting enormous pressure on households, businesses and key sectors. As a Mayo TD and a member of the Government, in recent days, I have met people across my constituency and beyond. Many other Members have also referenced those hardworking people. Certainly, I have listened carefully and respectfully to those who have expressed deep frustration publicly and privately. They are asking simple and legitimate questions, such as why the costs are rising so sharply and what the Government is doing in response. They have a right to ask these questions and they deserve straight answers. That is why we are here today to implement a number of financial resolutions but also to give some further detail. The fact remains that we are living in an unprecedented global energy crisis. This is not abstract. It is not theoretical and it did not happen somewhere else. It is real. It is immediate and it is being felt in every household and every sector of our economy. That is something many on the Opposition benches have failed to recognise tonight. We live in a small, open economy and we are particularly exposed to global price shocks, especially during periods of geopolitical instability. The volatility we are seeing in international fuel markets is driven by events far beyond the borders of Ireland. The ongoing conflict and instability in the gulf and the Middle East are a real result and no government anywhere can fully insulate citizens from the shocks and the scale of this crisis. It is also important to recognise that we need to be honest with people about these realities, what the Government can do and what this Government has done in response, in a way that is timely, proportionate, reasonable and fair. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the motion put forward by Sinn Féin this evening on fuel prices. It calls for maximum action to reduce costs and support workers, families and key sectors. Let us be clear. This is exactly what the Government has done. It has not ignored this problem. We have not delayed. We have not hidden behind slogans. We have acted decisively, responsibly and on the basis of the evidence put forward. In March, we introduced an initial €250 million package. That included targeted supports designed to shield the households and businesses most exposed to the rising energy and fuel costs. Importantly, we were clear at that point that the measures would be kept under constant review. We did not pretend that one intervention would be enough in a volatile and fast-moving, global environment. We have continuously monitored developments in international energy markets. In the past week we have seen, as a result of the escalating geopolitical instability, petrol prices have increased by approximately 4% to around €1.92 per litre. Diesel prices have also risen by approximately 12% to around €2.16 per litre. In response to those developments, the Government has acted again. We are now delivering a second package of supports costing more than €500 million, a substantial, comprehensive and far-reaching intervention. This package includes excise reductions on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil alongside targeted supports for the transport, farming, fishing and haulage sectors, which are the sectors that quite literally keep the country moving and functioning. These measures are practical, measurable and immediate in their impact. While they are targeted, they also provide relief right across society as a whole. This is not about choosing between households and businesses. It is about supporting both because both are under pressure and both are essential to a functioning economy. It is important to contrast this approach with what often is heard from the Opposition. Instead of slogans, the Government has taken a balanced, evidence-based approach. We are monitoring developments closely, we are engaging directly with affiliated sectors and we are responding, not once, but twice, with substantial and credible supports. This is what responsible government looks like. It is also important to be honest about the constraints within which we operate. The Government does not act in a vacuum. While we can determine national taxation policy, policy options concerning fuel support measures must comply with the EU legislative framework. That includes the energy tax directive, VAT rules and the state aid regulations. We are actively engaging with the European Commission to maximise the relief we can provide within these frameworks. That engagement matters and reflects the seriousness with which this Government approaches its responsibility - not promising what cannot be delivered, but delivering what we can, both lawfully and effectively. Let us be clear about where pressure at the pump comes from and the one core driver of fuel pressure inflation, that is, global international crude oil markets, which dictate the prices. It is not this House and not this Government. Pretending otherwise might be politically convenient for some but it does not help families who are trying to make ends meet. The public deserves honesty and not easy soundbites. Despite the global headwinds, Ireland is facing this period of uncertainty from a position of economic strength. Unemployment rates have remained below 5% for over four years, our economy continues to grow and we have run budget surpluses in recent years and expect to continue doing so over the medium term. That strength did not happen by accident. It is a result of careful economic management, disciplined public finances and responsible leadership. It is precisely because of that careful stewardship that we are able to act decisively now to support households, protect jobs and sustain critical sectors of our economy during a period of global disruption. However, we are also being honest with the public. No set of measures, no matter how extensive, can fully shield everyone from a global crisis of this magnitude. The longer international instability continues, the greater the pressure on inflation, growth and household incomes. The reality should not be denied and should not be politicised. Responsibility requires telling people the truth even when it is uncomfortable. At the same time, this crisis reinforces an important lesson for the future, namely, that we must reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and strengthen our own energy independence. That is why the Government remains committed to the transition to a decarbonised economy. We all recognise that reality. That transition takes time and we are in the process of that journey - we are not at the end of it, but we are getting there. In the meantime, there are sectors that remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels and they are particularly exposed to this crisis. That is why the Government is acting with targeted, temporary and proportionate measures to alleviate pressures now while continuing to invest in a more secure and sustainable energy future. I want to conclude by acknowledging the challenging and uncertain times we are living in. These are not easy times for households, businesses or the Government but leadership matters most when circumstances are difficult. The Government has acted and we will continue to act, not with rhetoric, but with delivery, not with populism, but with responsibility, and not with noise or instability, but with stability. For these reasons, I cannot accept this motion before the House and I instead present the Government's amendment. The motion ignores the facts, disregards the extensive actions already taken and offers no credible and costed alternative.

Sentiment score: 0.09