National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) Bill 2026: Second Stage
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-25
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Peter 'Chap' Cleere (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

It is important to acknowledge that action has been taken and that action is absolutely welcome. The reduction in excise on petrol and diesel alongside a significant cut to the NORA levy will provide immediate and tangible relief at the pumps, not just "No" politics for the sake of "No" politics. For many working people, particularly those in rural areas, who rely heavily on their cars, that relief cannot come soon enough.
Equally the decision to extend supports for home heating, particularly for more vulnerable households, is a recognition of the very real concern and anxiety that people feel when faced with rising energy bills. These are practical steps and they will make a real difference. I welcome the additional four weeks on the fuel allowance, which will make a huge difference to families right across the country.
We must also recognise the targeted supports for key sectors of our economy. Hauliers, bus operators and those who keep goods and people moving have been under enormous strain due to the rise in diesel costs. Increasing the diesel rebate and backdating it is a sensible and necessary intervention to protect jobs, to make sure our economy is strong and to make sure we have a pot of money so that when we are hit with a crisis, we can actually put measures in place to help Irish families. If we have a surplus and keep taking out of it, we will end up with a deficit. I do not know if the Sinn Féin economic policy recognises that, but that is the reality of the situation.
While we all hope that stability will return, the reality is that uncertainty still remains. That is why it is equally important to focus on longer term actions being taken and indeed a lot of work needs to be done. We have seen significant progress in renewable energy in recent years.
The growth in solar capacity, from just 2 MW in 2015 to over 2,400 MW today, is remarkable. It shows what can be achieved with the right policy focus and investment. Similarly, the increase in the share of electricity generated from renewables, now exceeding 40%, demonstrates that we are moving in the right direction. The expansion of rooftop solar, with over 155,000 homes supported and schools benefiting from insulations, is helping to reduce bills and empower consumers to generate their own energy. This is a positive development and one that should continue to be scaled up.
The supports for haulage and road passenger operations being introduced and the fuel allowance being extended by four weeks are protecting the most vulnerable in society. The extension of the fuel allowance season means that eligible households will receive additional financial support totalling €152. This Bill also provides scope for the Government to amend the time period by way of order at a later date if required. It is also important to note that temporary and targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses, with additional supports for key sectors of the Irish economy, are being introduced and may be adjusted as the situation evolves. This is an evolving situation and has been since the crisis broke a couple of weeks ago.
In addition, the level of investment in retrofitting and energy efficiency must be acknowledged. Since 2019 over €1.6 billion has been provided to support hundreds of thousands of home energy upgrades. These measures not only reduce emissions but, crucially, reduce costs for households over the long term. However, we have to ask the question, are we moving quickly enough? Is there more that can be done? For many people who will be watching this debate, the reality is simple: bills are still too high and the cost of living remains a constant worry. While progress is being made, the benefits are not being felt evenly or widely enough. That is why I welcome the targeted measures that were introduced yesterday.
We also know that Ireland remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. This leaves us exposed to geopolitical shocks, price spikes and uncertainty that is beyond our control, like the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. The current situation has only underlined that vulnerability. While we acknowledge the steps taken, we must also call for greater urgency: urgency in accelerating renewable energy projects, particularly offshore; urgency in upgrading and expanding our electricity grid in order that supply can meet demand; urgency in reforming planning processes to ensure that critical infrastructure can be delivered without unnecessary delay; and urgency in ensuring that supports reach those who need them most when they need them.
There is also a clear lesson from this crisis. We must ensure that our response as a State is agile, responsive and prepared for whatever challenges may come next. The reality is that global energy markets can shift rapidly due to conflict, supply disruptions or economic shocks. We must be in a position to act quickly to protect Irish consumers and Irish businesses. That means building flexibility into our policies, maintaining contingency measures that can be deployed when needed and ensuring that the Government has the tools to respond in real time. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be ready. This is not about responding to a crisis; it is about building resilience for the future and ensuring that Irish households and businesses are not repeatedly at the mercy of global energy shocks.
The measures that have been recently announced are a step in the right direction. They will provide short-term relief and they demonstrate that this Government is responding to the challenges at hand. However, we cannot stop here. We have to be agile and flexible and we have to continue to act decisively, ambitiously and with a clear focus on delivering a more secure, more sustainable and more affordable energy future for all.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-25