Darragh O'Brien
Dublin Fingal East · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The appropriate next time to do that is once the ANCA decision is finalised and the public consultation is concluded, which will be on 3 September. Obviously, there will be a period required after that when the submissions to ANCA will be looked at. That is where the consultation is. That will happen over the coming months.”
“I have already mentioned the more than 3 million passengers who flew through Cork Airport and the growth of Shannon Airport, which has just had its best half a year and which now has over 40 routes. However, a small number of people are impacted and they need to be listened to.”
“Others did not want it at all. I think Shane Ross was Minister for transport at the time. That has been done. That is in place. This decision will be made. I do not have a timeframe. Hopefully it will be soon after the submissions from the public on the draft noise decision is made. That would feed into both.”
“An Investec report published in, I believe, 2022 said that to maintain the cap at 32 million between now and 2030 would jeopardise up to about 19,000 jobs. That is the reality of it. I support the workers in the airport. I am from the community myself. The airport has to grow in a sustainable way.”
“I have also made it clear that even though, and this is a fact, international aviation emissions are outside the scope of the climate action plan, we are taking actions aligned with the global approach to decarbonisation of the aviation industry, which is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization's basket of measures to ensur…”
“I have already highlighted the planning decision on the DAA’s infrastructure application. We discussed that at some length over the course of the last nearly two hours. That application seeks to raise the passenger cap to 40 million and provide for much-needed additional infrastructure at Dublin Airport.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,432 lines we hold for Darragh O'Brien, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 29.
“I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I think that none of us in government, and I hope none of you in opposition, have failed to grasp the gravity of the global crisis that we are in. It behoves all of us to do everything we can to protect our citizens, our businesses and the vulnerable as best we can. Are we going to be able to resolve every problem that is visited upon our citizens through one or two packages of financial support? No, we are not, but we are doing our level best to assist. To be fair to some members of the Opposition, I listened to contributions from the Labour Party, the Social Democrats and others such as Deputy Paul Gogarty. There are people who are actually really trying to put forward cases and ideas and, yes, to criticise the Government constructively, which is fine, or not to do so.”
“That I am not. What we have heard here from Pearse and others is an example of Sinn Féin's behaviour today. What we have heard from some on those benches, though not all, has been literally despicable. What they have done is that any time a female Deputy or Minister stood up here they shouted them down. Ken O'Flynn should have a look back at what he has done. What I am conscious of is the people outside, the very people we all represent, who are really concerned about what is happening all the way across the world and in this country, about how they pay their electricity bills, about how they put food in the table and whether they will keep their jobs. If they are looking in at this debate today and some of the behaviour, the misogynistic behaviour, the nasty-----”
“They have a responsibility to work together to help our people and our country through this unprecedented crisis. On 25 March, when we brought the first package of measures forward, all of the Opposition, with the exception of the main Opposition party, voted against every excise cut that day. They voted against the actual support-----”
“I obviously want to support the motion of confidence in the Government. I want to commence my remarks by thanking the Garda, our bus drivers, the public sector, and all the front-line workers who had to put up with a lot over the last week or so. I am a TD in Dublin. I and all my colleagues on the Government side know our constituents. We understand the difficulties that people have and the pressures they are under. We also understand that this is a global crisis. We here in Ireland are grappling with a global crisis, as is every other country in the world. I actually despair today, again, to listen to some of the political discourse that has been a political pantomime. What we have seen from some, though not all, in the Opposition is them abrogating their responsibilities as TDs and legislators here.”
“I move: That, notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil of 3rd day of March, 2026 and, pursuant to Standing Order 223(1), the following Committee may complete its consideration of the Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2026, standing referred to them pursuant to Standing Order 222(2), later than the eightieth day and not later than the one hundred and thirty-fourth day, being the 30th day of April, 2026, after the Estimates had been so referred: — the Select Committee on Education and Youth (Vote 26).”
“That a sum not exceeding €24,205,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of Fiosrú.”
“That a sum not exceeding €32,763,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Data Protection Commission. Vote 44 — Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €3,799,071,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for certain services administered by that Office, and for the payments of certain grants. Vote 45 — Fiosrú (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €576,767,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht including certain services administered by that Office and for the payment of grants, and that a sum not exceeding €21,800,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Vote 43 — Data Protection Commission (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €6,546,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of An tÚdarás Póilíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail and for the payment of certain grants. Vote 42 — Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €7,032,057,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, for certain services administered by that Office and for the payment of grants, and that a sum not exceeding €9,000,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Vote 41 — An tÚdarás Póilíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail (Revised Estimate).”
“Vote 39 — Uisce Éireann (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €2,250,000,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for payment of grants to Uisce Éireann. Vote 40 — Children, Disability and Equality (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €14,066,335,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Social Protection, for certain services administered by that Office, for payments to the Social Insurance Fund, for certain grants and including payments under cash-limited schemes administered by that Office. Vote 38 — Health (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €26,940,403,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Health and certain other services administered by that Office, including grants to the Health Service Executive and miscellaneous grants.”
“That a sum not exceeding €1,154,067,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Defence, including certain services administered by that Office; for the pay and expenses of the Defence Forces; and for payment of certain grants. Vote 37 — Social Protection (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €312,477,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for retired pay, pensions, compensation, allowances and gratuities payable under sundry statutes to or in respect of members of the Defence Forces and certain other Military Organisations, etc., and for sundry contributions and expenses in connection therewith; for certain extra-statutory children's allowances and other payments and for sundry grants. Vote 36 — Defence (Revised Estimate) .”
“That a sum not exceeding €8,946,300,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage including grants to Local Authorities, grants and other expenses in connection with housing, water services, miscellaneous schemes, subsidies, grants and payment of certain grants under cash-limited schemes. Vote 35 — Army Pensions (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €1,327,007,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport including certain services administered by that Office, and for payment of certain subsidies and grants. Vote 34 — Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €1,308,265,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, including certain services administered by that Office, for the payment of certain subsidies and grants and for the payment of certain grants under cash-limited schemes, and that a sum not exceeding €21,315,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Vote 33 — Culture, Communications and Sport (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €4,740,219,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Transport, including certain services administered by that Office, for payment of certain grants and certain other services. Vote 32 — Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €1,817,835,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, including certain services administered by that Office and for payment of certain grants and subsidies and for the payment of certain grants under cash-limited schemes, and that a sum not exceeding €29,091,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Vote 31 — Transport (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €1,061,119,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment including certain services administered by that Office, and for payment of certain grants, and that a sum not exceeding €77,011,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Vote 30 — Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €414,027,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and for certain services administered by that Office, including grants and contributions to International Organisations. Vote 29 — Climate, Energy and the Environment (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €10,483,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and for payment of certain grants. Vote 27 — International Co-operation (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €865,199,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for certain Official Development Assistance, including certain grants, and for contributions to certain International Organisations involved in Development Assistance and for salaries and expenses in connection therewith. Vote 28 — Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised Estimate) .”
“That a sum not exceeding €11,940,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of An Coimisiún Toghcháin. Vote 24 — Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €2,614,134,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Probation Service staff and of certain other services including payments under cash-limited schemes administered by that Office, and payment of certain grants. Vote 25 — Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €180,459,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for such of the salaries and expenses of the Courts Service and of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Special Criminal Court, the Circuit Court and the District Court and of certain other minor services as are not charged to the Central Fund, and that a sum not exceeding €5,047,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Vote 23 — An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €569,122,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Prison Service, and other expenses in connection with prisons, including places of detention, and for payment of certain grants. Vote 22 — Courts Service (Revised Estimate).”
“Vote 20 — Garda Síochána (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €2,619,421,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Garda Síochána, including pensions, etc. for the payment of certain witnesses' expenses, and for payment of certain grants, and that a sum not exceeding €17,310,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Vote 21 — Prisons (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €801,313,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of Public Works; for services administered by that Office and for payment of certain grants and for the recoupment of certain expenditure. Vote 16 — Tailte Éireann (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €100,872,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of Tailte Éireann and certain minor services, and that a sum not exceeding €579,000 be granted by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004.”
“That a sum not exceeding €610,728,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, including certain other services administered by that Office. Vote 10 — Tax Appeals Commission (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €4,090,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Tax Appeals Commission. Vote 13 — Office of Public Works (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €58,165,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Finance, including the Paymaster-General's Office, for certain services administered by the Office of the Minister and for payment of certain grants. Vote 8 — Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €12,349,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Vote 9 — Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revised Estimate).”
“That a sum not exceeding €82,119,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Vote 6 — Office of the Chief State Solicitor (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €59,881,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. Vote 7 — Office of the Minister for Finance (Revised Estimate).”
“Vote 3 — Office of the Attorney General (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €30,709,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Attorney General, including a grant. Vote 4 — Central Statistics Office (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €116,053,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Central Statistics Office. Vote 5 — Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Revised Estimate).”
“I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 1 — President's Establishment (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €6,198,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary General to the President, for certain other expenses of the President's Establishment and for certain grants. Vote 2 — Department of the Taoiseach (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €36,290,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Department of the Taoiseach, including certain services administered by the Department and for payment of grants.”
“If we were to extend it, that would be a matter I would bring back to Cabinet and we will inform the House in that way. I will not be accepting the amendment.”
“It does not give a Minister the ability to extend but I can assure the House that I will bring any extension to this to Cabinet and that decision will be made by Cabinet. It is not something we would do lightly. It does not in any way impinge on the climate action worker funding we are providing for groups right across the country. I could go into all this but it is more for an environmental debate. We have done over 2,000 schools, 240,000-plus homes have been retrofitted and 4,000 businesses last year alone. We are targeting 73,000 homes this year. We have amended the grants. The Deputy's concerns are obviously genuine. I am telling him that this is not the intention of it and as we do with everything, we will do that in a transparent way.”
“There has been incredible work on the community side on climate action so I am not trying to in any way cut into that. I have responsibilities as environment Minister to ensure that we do that. I will not be accepting the Deputy's amendment. That is not the intention of what is here. The Deputy read it in a different way. That is fine. That is his wont. That is not what we are going to do. This is a measure to affray increases in costs that people are suffering because of an international situation. NORA itself is in surplus and needs to retain a surplus as well. The cost of this over the two-month period is approximately €20 million - probably less because the NORA levy receipts vary month by month. The clause is a sunset clause. This dies off after that period of time.”
“Homework is not three minutes but fair play for picking up something that is very clearly set down in the Bill itself so I commend the Deputy for that I have no intention of extending this for 18 months. There is a sunset clause within it so it means within that period of time. If the situation got worse and we had to extend it, it gives the ability in this to extend it but that decision would be a decision that I would bring to Cabinet. I can assure the Deputy that Members would be informed of that. The Climate Action Fund is in surplus to the tune of €265 million that is unallocated. We are continuing and accelerating measures around retrofitting and biodiversity restoration. The Deputy mentioned bogland restoration. A total of 33,000 ha have been restored over the last period of time. Some incredible work is happening there.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as ucht an leasaithe. Labhróidh mé i gcomhthéacs an leasaithe anois. Ní féidir liom glacadh leis. Ní aontaím leis na rudaí a dúirt na Teachtaí. I do not agree with what Deputy Hayes said. I understand it and will take it at face value that his concerns are genuine. I have no reason to think otherwise. There is nothing underhand about this at all. It is a bit of a stretch. Deputy Hayes spoke about a raid of the Climate Action Fund. That is not it at all. This is a short-term temporary measure to reduce costs to households and businesses. It is on a two-month basis. It is very clearly set out. If it was underhand, it would not be printed in the legislation. It is not a very long Bill. It is not that it was hidden anywhere. One can read it very clearly in about three minutes.”
“On the specific matter regarding the NORA levy, there is a 2 cent reduction, which is a temporary measure to help to affray costs, plus the excise duty reduction and we are also backdating the diesel rebate scheme for the haulage sector until 1 January. This will be of assistance. I thank the Irish Road Haulage Association for its constructive engagement with us on this. All of the measures we have brought forward are targeted and temporary. We will keep them under active review. Of that, the Deputy can be absolutely assured. While the suggestion from Teachta Daly is a good one, I assure him that the committee and I will keep this matter under regular review. I am conscious that the levy we are now removing will mean there will be less funds going into NORA. That is a short-term measure to try to affray cost increases.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an leasú. Labhróidh mé ar an leasú. Ní féidir liom glacadh leis. Ba chóir don Teachta a bheith cinnte go bhfuil muidne ar an gcoiste inacmhainneachta ag obair ar na tacaíochtaí is féidir linn a thabhairt isteach go luath. Tá an obair sin á déanamh againn anois. Rinne an coiste a lán rudaí roimh cháinaisnéis 2026. Tá rudaí isteach sa dlí anois mar gheall ar an obair sin. Ní féidir liom glacadh leis an leasú sin. I cannot accept the amendment. I assure the Deputy that the national energy affordability task force will keep this matter under review. The committee meets on a regular basis. I chaired it last week and it is meeting again tomorrow. The subcommittee the Deputy referred to is simply advisory. It is specifically focused on the Middle Eastern supply and the breakdown of energy supply.”
“Tá mé ag éisteach. I can walk and chew gum at the same time. I am actually explaining to the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, what Deputy Whitmore is saying so that he understands the Social Democrats’ position. I am trying to be helpful.”
“It is to ensure we can come through this particular crisis in the same manner we have to use appropriate supports that are sustainable and we will retain the right and the ability to be able to respond further should we need to. I commend the Bill to the House. I thank colleagues for their time today and I look forward to hearing their contributions.”
“It has the potential to increase more later on this year as many of our energy companies are hedged through this immediate crisis and we may see the pass-on effect of the price increases we are seeing now coming onto our electricity retailers to users in coming months. That is the reason we have to ensure the measures we bring forward are flexible and time-bound and that we retain the opportunity to respond as necessary. If we look at the number of crises this country has faced in recent times, from Brexit to the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis and Covid, at every stage the Government has brought forward measures that by any fair assessment have worked and protected our economy and society.”
“Times are particularly difficult in what is a global crisis on the energy side, particularly with regard to supply and price increases. These are situations that Ireland is not grappling with on its own. The measures we have brought forward - which are immediate, short-term flexible measures - can be compared with our nearest neighbour which has deployed about £53 million, or €60 million, in its initial response. We have done it in a considered and practical way that can be sustained. We have to ensure that any measures we bring forward are affordable and sustainable but that we also retain the ability to respond further should this crisis accelerate and should the issue of price inflation in relation to fuel and electricity worse.”
“That will be added to in excess of 240,000 that have already received grants to retrofit their homes to make them warmer, their energy more efficient and to reduce their energy bills permanently. We need to accelerate the deployment of those grants as well as the grants to businesses. Last year alone, we saw 4,000 businesses avail of energy retrofit supports which reduces their energy use and to look to alternative uses of energy too and reduces their energy bills. These are permanent changes. That is why it is so critically important that the carbon tax remains in place. It is that tax that is ring-fenced to carry out the works we need right the way across residential and business sectors to improve people’s homes and reduce energy use. Energy affordability remains an absolute priority for this Government.”
“To the end of 2024 we saw 40% of our electricity being generated from renewable sources, more than double the amount of renewables that were in our system in 2015 - all while demand for electricity has grown. We are building on that strong base with successful auctions, both onshore and offshore, with simplifying planning processes in order to accelerate the delivery of new projects, and by providing €3.5 billion in equity into the grid. At individual household level, retrofitting is one of the very best measures which a household can take to reduce their energy bills permanently. This year, I secured a record allocation for fully-funded and granted-assisted retrofits of €640 million which allows us to target 73,000 home energy upgrades this year.”
“This included increased rates of payment and widened eligibility for social protection payments, a reduced rate of VAT to 9% on electricity and gas through to 2030, as well as the largest ever retrofitting budget. A key output of the taskforce will be the energy affordability action plan, which will identify a comprehensive range of solutions, including measures targeting households in energy poverty. The plan is currently being developed and will be finalised in advance of budget 2027. As Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment, this crisis has only strengthened my resolve to drastically improve Ireland's energy resilience by building our domestic renewables. This reduces our dependence as a country on imported fossil fuels, thereby reducing our exposure to the inevitable fluctuations and volatility in the market.”
“On this basis, I have written to retail electricity and gas suppliers, as well as the CRU and fuel suppliers, to emphasise the importance of reducing the exposure for Irish consumers from the price shocks that global uncertainty has created. In addition, the taskforce has been established by the Government to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The first report of this group was brought forward in advance of budget 2026, and a range of measures were adopted on foot of that work.”
“Our policy response must therefore be responsive to the conflict, and it is clear that there are still myriad scenarios as to how this unfolds. For this reason, I have requested that the national energy affordability taskforce establishes a dedicated expert advisory subgroup to monitor global supply and, in particular, supply to Ireland and to advise on appropriate demand-side responses. This group will be stood up in the coming days and will provide expert insight into me as Minister and to the Government. Supplies in Ireland remain sufficient, but there have been significant price increases arising from the market pressures. While it is clear that Ireland will be affected by this global supply chain, there is an obligation on suppliers to treat Irish consumers with fairness and respect.”
“The group heard from the IEA's chief energy economist, Tim Gould, who provided sobering insight into the scope and impact of this conflict. On the basis of this presentation, it was clear that the conflict has already had a significant impact on the global supply of oil in particular, and that the nature and scale of this impact can increase exponentially as the conflict goes on and if there is additional direct damage to oil and gas facilities. A couple of the facilities that have been damaged and nearly destroyed will take a number of years to be restored into use. Because of the nature of shipping times, we are likely only beginning to see the full impact of the Strait of Hormuz, and while markets have priced this in to some extent, the effect on prices will be more severe if transit through the trait remains restricted.”
“Stock may be released from Ireland's stockholding in the event of a shortage of refined product on the domestic market, or as recently happened to participate in an International Energy Agency, IEA, collective action, to alleviate a global oil shortage. Temporary and targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses, with additional supports for key sectors of the economy are being introduced and may be adjusted as the situation evolves. Since the outbreak of this conflict, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has met on a regular basis to assess the implications for the energy sector. Last week, I again chaired a meeting of the national energy affordability taskforce specifically focussed on this ongoing crisis.”