The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien today brought a Memo to Cabinet on the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT). Minister O’Brien provided Government with an update on the taskforce’s expanded scope, governance structures, and key deliverables as it works to address the energy affordability challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The memo outlines the taskforce’s intensified response to the energy shock resulting from the conflict and sets out an overview of the current security of supply situation. Ireland’s fuel supply chains remain robust and reliable. However, global energy prices remain highly volatile, and the ongoing conflict continues to put significant upward pressure on energy costs for households and businesses.
The NEAT is working intensively on an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be submitted to Government in Q3 (2026). This Action Plan will be focused on short, medium and longer-term measures to support households and businesses – to meet their energy costs, and will be built around four key pillars:

• Addressing the price of energy.
• Sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility.
• Addressing energy poverty and customer protections.
• Energy affordability for businesses.

To facilitate a robust and coordinated cross-Government response, a number of NEAT subgroups have been established, bringing together officials from a wide range of Government departments and agencies. The taskforce is coordinating with the Departments of Transport; Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Finance in relation to the short-term response. A period of intensive engagement to refine options for consideration by the taskforce is currently underway, with subgroups meeting on an ongoing basis. The next meeting of the full NEAT is scheduled for tomorrow (7 May).
This work is being supported by structured engagement with relevant external stakeholders. An initial engagement with the Community and Voluntary Pillar – including representatives from the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Age Action, Irish Rural Link, the National Women’s Council, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Environmental Pillar – took place last week.
Minister O’Brien said:
“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is driving energy prices in the wrong direction for households and businesses across Ireland. I am very conscious of the real pressure this is placing on families trying to manage household bills and on business trying to keep their costs under control. The Government is taking action; we have already introduced €755 million in supports – including reductions in excise on fuel, the deferral of the carbon tax increase, an extended Fuel Allowance season, and enhanced supports for our hauliers, agricultural contractors and farmers – and we will continue to act as the situation develops. The Government also launched the ‘Saving Energy Saves Money’ campaign which is designed to support householders and businesses to manage their energy costs, while highlighting the wide range of grants and financial supports available.
“The National Energy Affordability Taskforce is working at pace to develop a comprehensive response. An Energy Affordability Action Plan, built around tackling the cost of energy, protecting those most vulnerable to energy poverty, supporting businesses, and empowering consumers, will be brought to Government in Q3.
“But we must also be honest about the longer term. We will not insulate ourselves from future price shocks unless we reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. That is why we are prioritising the development of more renewable energy – both onshore and offshore – and reforming the planning system to make it easier to build clean energy projects. Developing our own clean, indigenous energy is not just good for our climate; it is essential for our energy security and long-term competitiveness.”

INFOMAR programme will continue to support the development of key maritime policies and industries
Programme will now map the most challenging area, to complete what has become known as ‘The Real Map of Ireland’
Ireland will become the first nation in the world with a significant maritime area to meet this challenging objective

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has secured approval for the completion of the INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource) programme. INFOMAR, a joint venture between Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute, aims to map of all of Ireland’s offshore territory – an area that is 10 times the size of Ireland's landmass, at just under 1 million square kilometres.
The final phase of the INFOMAR programme will take place from 2027 to 2029 and will map the most challenging and shallowest final 125,000 square kilometres, to complete what has become known as ‘The Real Map of Ireland’. Survey operations are scheduled from March to October each year in 2026, 2027 to 2028, with a final year of data processing in 2029.
The Government has deployed a fleet of state-of-the-art research vessels, including the RV Tom Crean, RV Keary, and RV Mallet, to cover the remaining unmapped areas of the Celtic Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Irish Sea.
The programme brings benefits in several, impactful areas. For the ORE (Offshore Renewable Energy) sector, the data will assist in identifying the best locations for offshore wind energy and will guide the laying of subsea cables and the construction of tidal generators, essential for meeting Ireland’s target of 37GW of offshore wind by 2050.
Also, from the perspective of security and sovereignty, the mapping protects critical international telecommunications cables and energy interconnectors and reinforces Ireland’s jurisdiction and management of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
From the perspective of marine safety, the data is used to update hydrographic charts, reducing the risk of groundings. Over 420 shipwrecks have already been identified, preserving maritime heritage and notifying mariners of potential underwater hazards.
For environmental protection, the mapping allows for a ‘plan-led’ approach to conservation and identifies sensitive habitats (like cold-water coral reefs) to ensure they are excluded from industrial development. The seabed data improves oceanographic and ecosystem models, informing storm surge and flood forecasting, coastal erosion prediction, and the long-term impacts of rising sea levels.
Commenting on Government approval for the completion of the INFOMAR programme, Minister O’Brien said:
“This final push to complete the mapping of our seabed is not just a scientific achievement; it is an economic and environmental necessity. We are unlocking the secrets of our ocean wealth to ensure a sustainable future for our coastal communities and our energy security. Recent events in the Middle East have shown the importance of reducing Ireland’s dependence of imported fossil fuels. We can achieve this by deploying home-grown renewable energy at scale. This is essential for securing our long-term energy security and ensuring price stability for Irish households and businesses.”
Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Timmy Dooley said:
“Ireland will become the first nation in the world with a significant maritime area to meet the objective of mapping all of its offshore territory. The completion of the programme will solidify Ireland’s position as a global leader in seabed mapping and marine high-resolution data underpinning policy and future sustainable development”

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon today announced details of the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) for hauliers, ‘own account’ road haulage operators and bus and coach operators, and the new Fuel Support Scheme for farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers.  
The RTSS supports the road transport sector in recognition of its essential role in Ireland’s supply chains, for businesses and in providing essential connectivity across both urban and rural communities. The scheme provides significant financial support to help meet the challenges posed by increased fuel costs arising from the war in the Middle East.   
Minister O’Brien said: “The Road Transporters Support Scheme recognises the vital role played every day by hauliers and bus and coach operators in keeping Ireland moving, supporting jobs, and maintaining our essential supply chains. This targeted support is designed to relieve immediate cost pressures while ensuring continuity of services for families, businesses and communities across the country. It reflects our strong commitment to working closely with the sector to protect capacity and resilience at a critical time.”
“I and my team in the Department have worked closely with stakeholders to deliver these meaningful supports. The RTSS will be administered by the Department of Transport, and significant progress has been made in developing the system and application process.”
Minister Heydon said: “The Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, farm contractors and fishers. My Department is ready to open the farmers and farm contractors scheme for applications in early May, subject to the necessary approvals, with payment to issue thereafter. This targeted and practical support package based on actual fuel usage last year ensures that those most exposed to these increases will receive meaningful assistance.”
Minister Heydon continued: “A fuel support scheme for fishers and aquaculture tailored to the specific needs of that sector will be operated separately by Bord Iascaigh Mhara on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  It will also be calculated on the basis of fuel consumption with specific eligibility criteria for the different categories of fishers. It is also anticipated that the scheme will open in May.”
Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said:
“The haulage sector is of national strategic importance, bringing essential supplies into and around the State, supporting key infrastructure and enabling the maintenance of all economic and social activity in our country. The road transport sector faces a challenging operating environment. Higher prices for hauliers lead to secondary price rises across all sectors they supply, and feed into higher prices across the country. 
“The RTSS will support hauliers and transport operators to face these challenges and continue to play their vital role in our economy.
“I also welcome the €100 million Fuel Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers. As a rural TD, I know how higher prices have impacted on these sectors and this scheme will support those people to maintain their essential work across the country.”
The scheme will be open to licensed and ‘own account’ road haulage operators and licensed road passenger transport operators.
It will also support commercial passenger transport operators and school transport providers, who play a critical role in in the economy. Support for operators of TFI Local Link Services will be available through the NTA, while support for school transport services will be facilitated by the Department of Education and Youth. Transport services to islands will be facilitated by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
These supports complement the wider package of the reduction in Excise rates, the NORA levy, and the increased rebate rate allowed under the Diesel Rebate Scheme. The overall supports provided by Government reflect the needs communicated by the sector's representative bodies over many engagements, and respond to the stated needs of the sector.
The RTSS will initially apply for March 2026, with further payments for April and May depending on average national diesel prices, as measured by the CSO, exceeding €1.90 per litre. This threshold reflects the point at which fuel costs become unsustainable for many commercial transport operators.
Applications can be made through an online portal, expected to open in May.
The fuel support scheme for farmers and farm and forestry contractors will cover the months of March up to the end of July and is an income support scheme aimed at those most impacted by the sudden increase in the cost of Market Gas Oil (MGO) Eligibility for the scheme will be based on use of MGO for primary production of agricultural products on farm (including forestry) last year. Both farmers and farm and forestry contractors will be eligible to apply. Farmers and agricultural contractors will benefit from a support rate equivalent to approximately 20 cents per litre or €200 per 1,000 litres of marked gas oil based on verified fuel usage in 2025.
Under the scheme there will be one payment per applicant to cover a full five-month period rather than monthly payments. Applicants will be asked to supply their usage for the 12 months of 2025 based on receipted expenditure. The applicant will make a self-declaration of usage based on statements or receipts which may be subject to risk-based checks.  For farm and forestry contractors, the scheme will require that they must be registered for VAT, tax compliant and must supply services for primary production of agricultural products (including forestry) on farm.
Ministers of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Noel Grealish and Timmy Dooley, who were also involved in the intensive period of engagement with the stakeholders, also welcomed the scheme. 
The Government is today also launching a communications campaign designed to support householders and businesses to manage their energy costs. As well as highlighting the €755 million package of supports including those announced today, the campaign points to long term supports and grants available to households, farms, contractors and businesses to lower their energy costs. The campaign also shares advice on immediate steps households can take now to save energy and save money.
 

• Minister O’Brien signs two Memorandums of Understanding at WindEurope – with UK and Spain
• Framework established with Spain to explore the development of an electricity interconnector

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on energy cooperation at the WindEurope conference in Madrid, reinforcing Ireland’s commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and accelerating the transition to a clean, secure energy system.
MoU between Ireland and Spain
The first MoU, agreed with the Government of Spain, was signed alongside Sara Aagesen Muñoz, Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. This agreement establishes a framework for both countries to explore the potential development of a future electricity interconnector between Ireland and Spain.
The MoU reflects a shared ambition to enhance electricity interconnection across Europe, recognising its importance in supporting decarbonisation, strengthening energy security, and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources. It sets out a structured, step-by-step approach to assessing the feasibility of an interconnector project, including cooperation between both countries’ transmission system operators (TSOs), joint analysis of technical and economic considerations, and potential future engagement with European network planning processes.
MoU between Ireland and the UK
Minister O’Brien also signed a second MoU with the United Kingdom, together with UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks. This agreement extends the existing Ireland-UK Memorandum of Understanding on energy transition, which is due to expire in June 2026.
The extension reaffirms the strong and ongoing cooperation between Ireland and the UK in the energy sector, particularly in areas such as offshore renewable energy, electricity markets, and security of supply. It ensures continuity in collaborative efforts as both countries work towards shared climate and energy objectives.
Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Both agreements come at a pivotal time as Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026. During the Presidency, Ireland will progress a number of key legislative files, including the European Grids Package, which aims to support the delivery of a cleaner, more secure and more affordable energy system across Europe.
Speaking at the signing, Minister O’Brien said:
“These agreements underline Ireland’s commitment to working closely with our European partners to deliver a secure, sustainable and resilient energy future. Our cooperation with Spain opens up new possibilities for interconnection that could unlock significant renewable energy potential, while our continued partnership with the UK remains vital to maintaining stability and progress across our shared energy systems.
“As Ireland prepares for its EU Presidency, we are determined to play a leading role in progressing key European initiatives such as the European Grids Package, helping to build the infrastructure needed to deliver clean, affordable energy for citizens and businesses across Europe.
The signing of these MoUs at WindEurope highlights Ireland’s proactive role in advancing regional energy cooperation and supporting the development of a more integrated and decarbonised European energy market.”

• Applications for individual home energy upgrades are up 186% on Q1 2025; overall applications are up 96%
• Minister O’Brien has updated Cabinet colleagues on a very significant ramp-up in interest in Home Energy Upgrades
• New National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 phased in a host of new, more affordable measures – 7,000 have already applied for windows and doors grants
• Data for the first quarter of this year from SEAI shows a very positive upward trend – in both demand and output. 73,000 upgrades are targeted this year

Today Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien brought a Memo for Information to Government – to provide an update to Cabinet colleagues on the National Residential Retrofit Plan (announced in January of this year). The Programme for Government committed to take decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes, as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability. The new National Residential Retrofit Plan was designed to deliver on this commitment – making home energy upgrades more affordable, and accessible to many more homeowners.
In Budget 2026, the Government provided a record allocation of €640 million, allowing us to target 73,000 home energy upgrades this year. The latest data from SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) shows that we are delivering on this increased ambition. The data also shows that the retrofit sector is mobilising and responding to growing interest in home energy upgrades, underpinned by Government-funded SEAI grant support.
The almost doubling of applications so far in 2026 (year-on-year) means that SEAI processed 29,000 applications from January to March. Among the most noteworthy increases are the following:

• over 7,000 applications for window and door upgrades (new grant)
• over 1,730 applications for attic insulation (up 81% year on year)
• over 1,000 applications for cavity wall insulation (up 62% year on year)
• over 350 applications for heat pump installations (up 95% year on year).

Over a quarter of a million Home Energy Upgrades since 2019:
Since 2019, over a quarter of a million (257,000) Home Energy Upgrades have been delivered since 2019, thanks to Government funding of over €1.7 billion.
Continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes:
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce, was formed to identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households.
The Taskforce is now leading the response to the energy shock, and the immediate associated energy affordability challenge (with an initial focus – reflecting wider recommendations from both the EU and IEA – on demand measures to reduce energy use and make costs more affordable for households and businesses), as well as preparing an Energy Affordability Action Plan – to be completed in Quarter 3 of this year. This work includes examining how to support increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades and continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.
Commenting, Minister O’Brien said:
“I am delighted to inform Government of this very welcome update on the National Residential Retrofit Plan, which I announced just a few months ago. As a Government, we committed to take decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes – as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability. In the first quarter of the year, data shows a very clear and positive upward trend, with evidence of substantial growth in both demand and output.
“Applications to SEAI for individual home energy upgrades are up 186% on the first quarter of last year, and overall applications are up 96%. Through the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce, we will examine how to support further uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades, and this will inform continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes.”
William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said:
“At a time when energy costs are a concern for many households, the near doubling of applications to SEAI grants this year to date shows the demand for affordable energy upgrades. The new and expanded grants are helping families to get the benefits of a warmer, healthier homes with lower energy costs. Generous grant support is available for windows and doors, attic and wall insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels as well as fully-funded energy upgrades under the Warmer Homes scheme. Whether you’re planning to take it step-by-step, or to do a complete home energy upgrade, SEAI has a grant that will help you on your journey, reduce energy bills and increase comfort.”
For more information, see SEAI’s website: www.seai.ie/homeenergyupgrades.
The new National Residential Retrofit Plan is available here: National Residential Retrofit Plan.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien today (13 April) approved an extension of the temporary derogation from certain driving hours and rest period requirements to cover the delivery of all goods within Ireland. This is to provide some flexibility for drivers in these urgent and exceptional circumstances and support the full recovery of the national energy and food supply chain during a period of intensive pressures, while balancing driver welfare and road safety objectives. It widens the derogation approved on 11 April for road hauliers transporting liquid fuel used for home heating oil or as a propellant within Ireland.
Minister O’Brien said:
“The transport of goods of all types within Ireland has been severely disrupted by blockades at ports, rolling protests, and closures across our road network. While we have restored access to ports and fuel infrastructure, the transport sector continues to be affected by the cumulative impact of the blockades. Government is actively working to support recovery, and my approval to extend the derogation follows representations from agricultural representatives, retail representatives, and other Government departments highlighting the cross-sectoral impacts of recent events. Officials in my Department will continue to monitor this situation closely.”
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said:
“The haulage sector is of national strategic importance. This derogation brings much-needed flexibility and reassurance to those working right across the logistics and supply chain, supporting them to return to normal business practices as soon as possible.
 “Of course, the safety of drivers and other road users must not be compromised and these extensions are for use only when necessary." 
 Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer said:
“Hauliers deliver essential supplies around all areas of the State, supporting key infrastructure and enabling the maintenance of all economic and social activity in our country. This derogation will expedite the full recovery of the supply chain, given the strains that have been placed on it in recent days.”  
 The derogation was granted pursuant to Article 14 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, as follows:
The following derogations will be applied from 13 April 2026 for an initial period of 08 days to all drivers involved in the road transport of all goods within Ireland:

• the daily driving limit is increased from 9 hours to 11 hours  
• the maximum weekly driving limit is increased from 56 hours to 60 hours
• the fortnightly driving limit is increased from 90 hours to 102 hours
• the rules relating to weekly rest are being relaxed by allowing drivers to take a reduced weekly rest of at least 24 hours in each consecutive week during the relaxation period. There will be no obligation on a driver to take at least one (1) regular weekly rest period in any two consecutive weeks until the derogation expires. Furthermore, there will not be any requirement for compensation where reduced weekly rest is being taken.