Seán Canney: Government Acts to Cut Fuel and Protect Households
Seán Canney sets out government measures announced today to ease the immediate impact of rising energy costs. He details cuts at the pump, a reduction in the NORA levy, excise changes, a four-week extension of the fuel allowance and increases to the diesel rebate scheme.
Seán Canney explains the package the government is bringing forward to reduce costs at the pump, including excise reductions and a temporary reduction in the NORA levy on petroleum products. He emphasises that legislative changes are being progressed immediately so measures can take effect quickly.
Canney outlines targeted help for those most at risk from higher energy costs: pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and low-income families. Extending and strengthening the fuel allowance for a further four weeks will help around 470,000 households and is presented as a central pillar of the response.
The address also highlights support for haulage, bus and coach operators through an increased diesel rebate scheme intended to offset acute cost pressures and limit wider economic disruption.
Seán Canney stresses the global price environment is highly volatile and the measures are therefore targeted and time-bound. He underlines that the budgetary position allows the government to act now, and that officials will continue to monitor the situation closely and act again if circumstances change.
Immediate measures to reduce fuel bills
Seán Canney explains the package the government is bringing forward to reduce costs at the pump, including excise reductions and a temporary reduction in the NORA levy on petroleum products. He emphasises that legislative changes are being progressed immediately so measures can take effect quickly.
Targeted support for households
Canney outlines targeted help for those most at risk from higher energy costs: pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and low-income families. Extending and strengthening the fuel allowance for a further four weeks will help around 470,000 households and is presented as a central pillar of the response.
Backing key transport sectors
The address also highlights support for haulage, bus and coach operators through an increased diesel rebate scheme intended to offset acute cost pressures and limit wider economic disruption.
Measured, time-bound approach
Seán Canney stresses the global price environment is highly volatile and the measures are therefore targeted and time-bound. He underlines that the budgetary position allows the government to act now, and that officials will continue to monitor the situation closely and act again if circumstances change.
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Transcript
Thank you very much and good afternoon. Today the government is acting to support people in a very real and immediate way. The rise in energy costs we are seeing are not abstract. They affect everybody who goes to fill their car, to go to work, try to manage their day-to-day living and that is what our focus has been. Helping people right now. The package being brought forward today is built upon three clear priorities. Firstly we're reducing the cost of fuel at the pump as outlined by the Tánaiste. Alongside this government have agreed to reduce the NORA levy on petroleum products. These will require legislative amendments and that is being done immediately. These measures will work in tandem with the excise reductions to further bring down the cost for motorists and for home heating oil. Secondly we're targeting supports for those who need the most. We know that many households, particularly pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and low-income families are deeply concerned about the cost of home heating oil. That is why extending and strengthening supports like the fuel allowance for a further four weeks will help around 470,000 households and is a central part of our response. It's about protecting the most vulnerable and giving reassurance at a time of uncertainty. And thirdly we're supporting key sectors in our economy, particularly haulage, bus and coach operators who are facing significant cost increases. By increasing the diesel rebate scheme we're helping to offset these pressures, not just for those sectors but across the wider economy that depends on them. I also want to be very clear about the approach we are taking. We're in a highly volatile global situation. Prices can rise and fall very quickly. We've seen what has happened in the last 24 hours. That level of uncertainty means we must be measured, we must be responsible in how we respond. That is why these measures are targeted and are also time bound. It would not be prudent to lock in long-term interventions when the situation is so volatile. It's important to say this too, that we're in a position to act because our economy is strong. The budgetary position we have today allows us to step in and support people when it matters most. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely and we will not hesitate to act again if circumstances change. But for today this is about real practical measures that we are taking to help people, to support those most at risk and to provide some certainty in uncertain times. Thank you. Okay, first question.