Cut to excise duty on fuel announced by Irish Government
The measure will last until August 31.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A significant cut in the excise duty on fuel has been announced by the Irish Government.
At a press conference in Government Buildings, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed a cut of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre of diesel.
However, Mr Donohoe warned that there was only so much the Government could do to insulate businesses and consumers from a rise in costs exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
The measure, introduced amid concerns about growing pressures on the cost of living, will last until August 31.
The Government estimates that the measure will cost 320 million euro.
The move, which was agreed following a virtual Cabinet meeting, will take effect from Thursday.
Ministers said that the cut would reduce the cost of filling a 60-litre tank by 12 euro for petrol and nine euro for diesel.
They stressed that Government was acting in response to the spike in prices already witnessed, but also ahead of anticipated further rises in costs as the war in Ukraine continues.
In recent days, as the crisis in Ukraine escalated, the Government had softened on its previous cast-iron refusal to intervene again on the cost of living before the October Budget.
Mr Donohoe, who has shepherded the Irish economy first through Brexit and then the Covid-19 pandemic, said that the latest crisis is different.
“What is happening here is, tragically, a conscious decision to inflict violence and terror on another country.
“There is a man-made capacity behind this that we all hoped we would not have to confront again in Europe.
“Now that is why we, even though, geographically, we are at a distance from what is now happening, we have obligations and we have commitments to help and we are determined to do.”
The Finance Minister rejected calls from Sinn Fein to go further, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald calling for “no half measures” from the Government.
“The times are too serious for auction politics, with the risks that Europe, our country faces, as we face the consequences of war,” Mr Donohoe said.
The scale of the crisis on the continent of Europe will have an as-yet-to-be-determined effect on Ireland, ministers warned on Wednesday.
“The Government has responded to help to ease the impact of these price changes. But we cannot protect citizens and businesses from the entire cost,” Mr Donohoe warned.
“The Government does want to be very honest about what we can do and the level of protection and support that we can offer. We can make a difference.
“We can help in covering the costs and in helping make a contribution to the costs that many are facing. But we are not in a position to insulate our economy, insulate our country, entirely from the global pressures that are taking place at the moment.”
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said that he expected hundreds of millions of euros will be spent by the Government welcoming and supporting refugees from war-torn Ukraine.
“There will be a cost, but whatever the cost is, it is a cost that we can afford and it’s a cost that pales into insignificance compared to the suffering and the human misery the people of Ukraine are facing.”
Eamon Ryan, the Irish climate minister, insisted that the best way to land a blow to Vladimir Putin was to stop buying Russian oil, gas and coal.
“The best way of protecting our security in Europe and helping people in Ukraine and improving our economic situation is to switch,” the Green Party leader said.
He said that this was something that was needed regardless as the country reaches for its ambitious climate change targets.
The minister suggested that people might drive slower to save on fuel.
However, Mr Ryan described the prospect of fuel and energy rationing in the weeks and months to come as “low”.