Energy Policy
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Darragh O'Brien (FF), Dublin Fingal East

It is a good question. What we have tried to do regarding the support package of about €750 million is to make sure that it is balanced and targeted. We have done decreases in excise duty. We have also brought forward specific schemes of support for vital sectors. For example, the haulage sector has been provided €40 million per month for three months in targeted payments and there is €100 million for the agriculture scheme. That is to help with the fuel price spikes and increases we have seen because of the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.
Specifically on the Deputy's question, I will defend the carbon tax. To be fair to the Deputy, colleagues in the Labour Party and other parties in the Opposition, with the exception of the main Opposition party, support the carbon tax because it brings forward specific ring-fenced funding in order that we can protect households and businesses against future shocks. This is a deferral of this increase.
That is all it is. We will target resources in specific areas, reduce costs and certainly ensure there are no further increased costs because of Government tax in the middle of this year.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-16