Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

The Deputy is right; people need action, not words. That is exactly why, at this time and at this moment in the year, €1.4 billion has already been provided to people to try to assist with what is a very challenging time - I fully agree with the Deputy - much of which has been caused by the conflict in the Middle East, where we need to focus our efforts as well. While we are a small country, we still have a voice and we need to use it to ensure every effort is made to end the conflict because that is the first and quickest way in which we can see a reduction. However, we have expanded the fuel allowance, and the tax reductions on energy and fuel have been extended to October, which the Deputy voted against in the Chamber, so that we give people that bit of a break and make sure there is certainty in the time ahead.
On top of that €1.4 billion being provided in supports and reductions in tax, we have a budget coming up. On both a permanent and temporary basis, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, have all said they want to do something on home heating oil and will do something in the budget to assist people in both the short and long term. The Deputy can be assured of that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-17