Today I met [online] with Energy Ministers from across the EU – to continue to coordinate an EU-wide approach on energy in relation to the ongoing developments in the Middle East. This timely meeting took place against a rapidly evolving geopolitical backdrop. These developments continue to shape global energy markets and test the resilience of our shared systems.
 
In particular, I welcome the letter from President Von Der Leyen containing a toolbox of solutions for high energy prices and I look forward to receiving additional details next Wednesday, particularly on new proposals on network charges and electricity taxation. In conjunction with EU ministers, I support EU-wide measures and obligations.
 
Ireland was one of the Member States that participated in the International Energy Agency’s collective action for an oil stock release. I will continue to engage with our international partners in the EU, and we must include trusted third countries like the UK in our coordination efforts.
 
On gas, Ireland welcomes measures to relax the Gas Storage Regulation requirement to refill gas storage to 80% rather than 90%. Although Ireland does not currently have storage facilities, we see the benefit of this to reduce the demand for gas from the EU – reducing further upward pressure on gas prices for us.
 
With regard to electricity markets and pricing, Ireland is open to coherent, EU-wide proposals to address the impact of increased costs in electricity markets. Measures taken in response to developments in the Middle East should be tailored, targeted and temporary, while maintaining the fundamentals of the Electricity Market Design.
 
Energy markets and prices are directly impacted by events far beyond our borders. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East underlines – once again – why we must accelerate the deployment of renewables across all sectors, continue to invest in our grid, and continue to invest in retrofitting of homes and businesses across the country. During our upcoming EU Presidency we will drive the EU’s energy agenda, including making meaningful progress on the Grids Package and other key files.
 
We will not insulate ourselves from future price shocks unless we reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. I, and my Government colleagues, am committed to doing that – in a way that protects households, businesses and the economy.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien today published the 2025 Report of the inter-departmental Alternative Fuels for Transport Working Group. Transport decarbonisation requires improving alternative and zero emission technology to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This 2025 report sets out recommendations for further coordinated action on alternative fuels, which have potential to contribute to decarbonisation, energy security, and to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency savings in the transport sector in Ireland. 
Minister O’Brien said: 
“The transition to zero-emission and alternative fuel technologies is part of our long-term planning to decarbonise transport systems. Global conflicts impacting supply chains further highlight the importance of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This Working Group supports our long-term strategy, aligning and coordinating a variety of policies, regulations and support programmes to promote the use of alternative fuels for transport. It ensures policy coherence across the transport sector for focused and sustained Government intervention toward optimal delivery of policy objectives, both nationally and internationally. 
“The solution to decarbonising and moving away from fossil fuel dependence will involve a diverse range of energy pathways, including renewable electricity and electrification of transport and renewable fuels. The Programme for Government commits to increasing renewable energy and to supporting continued action on the use of alternative fuels in the transport sector, with co-benefits in other economic sectors. This includes supporting the decarbonisation of road freight and commercial coaches with fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), hydrogen, electric vehicles and biomethane as well as developing a National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy. I look forward to seeing the progress that can be made to further these objectives.”
The Working Group in 2025 continued to promote visibility, coordination and alignment of policy and action concerning alternative fuels in transport. The Group brings together officials from key Government Departments and Agencies with interconnected responsibility concerning climate and energy policy related to alternative fuels with an end-use in transport. Several other subject matter and industry experts, including international energy experts, also contributed to the work of this group in 2025.
Among the priority outputs co-ordinated through the Working Group during 2025 was the draft National Planning Framework (NPF) delivering on requirements of the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation, the progress of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Taskforce Report, and research into the availability of future advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) required to meet EU renewable energy targets in the transport sector.
The working group also gave focus to key challenges in the transport sector concerning decarbonisation of fuels used in the harder-to-abate sectors of road freight, maritime and aviation.  
The recommendations and next steps set out in the report will further these themes and objectives in 2026, aligned to the priorities set out in the Programme for Government, and continuing to deliver on the ambition of the Climate Action Plan and EU Fit for 55.
The report is available to view on the Department of Transport website at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/publications/alternative-fuels-for-transport-working-group/

I, and my Government colleagues, understand the pressures that households and businesses are under, arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We have responded today to the areas under the most acute pressure. Today’s targeted intervention is time bound, and my Department will continue to monitor and review the ever-evolving nature of this situation.
 
The extension of the Fuel Allowance is also a critical support for households most at risk of energy poverty.
 
Since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, I have been in ongoing contact with the haulage sector and fully understand the challenges they face. For that reason, I am pleased that the combination of the cut in excise duty, the reduction in the NORA levy and the increase in the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme will help to address those challenges. I recognise the importance of the haulage sector and the challenges that have faced due to the recent increase in fuel costs. This is a critical sector that plays a crucial role in keeping supply chains and the wider economy moving. The package of supports reflects the issues raised by the haulage industry and will have a direct impact on the cost of fuel at the pump. I remain committed to working with the sector and will meet frequently with their representatives as the situation develops.
 
More broadly, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East underlines – once again – why we must accelerate the deployment of renewables across all sectors, continue to invest in our grid, and continue to invest in retrofitting of homes and businesses across the country. On retrofitting, I secured a record allocation – for fully-funded and granted-assisted retrofits – of €640 million in Budget 2026, allowing us to target 73,000 home energy upgrades this year. On the deployment of renewables, we recently passed a major milestone in our clean energy transition – achieving 8GW of installed renewable electricity capacity, marking a significant step forward in the transition to securing our future with homegrown renewable electricity.
 
We will not insulate ourselves from future price shocks unless we reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. I, and my Government colleagues, am committed to doing that – in a way that protects households, businesses and the economy.

The Government is conscious of the increased financial pressure on households and businesses arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
 
In response, the Government will introduce temporary and targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses, with additional supports for key sectors of the Irish economy.
 
These measures provide for temporary reductions in the rates of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) applying to petrol, auto diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO), taking effect from midnight tonight until 31 May 2026.  
 
The rate of MOT will be reduced on a VAT inclusive basis by:
 

• 15 cent per litre for petrol,
• 20 cent per litre for auto diesel, and
• 3 cent per litre for MGO.

 
To provide targeted relief to haulage and bus passenger operators, the Government will increase the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme, from 7.5 cent up to 12 cent per litre of diesel. This will apply to diesel purchased from 1 January 2026 until 30 June 2026.  
 
To further ease the financial impact of energy price inflation, the Government will reduce the NORA levy from 2 cent per litre to a nominal amount for a period of two months. 
 
In order to further support households, the fuel allowance season will be extended by an additional four weeks. This means that the 470,000 households in receipt of the fuel allowance will receive additional financial support of €38 per week, totalling €152.
 
These measures will be in place for a defined period of time and Government reserves the option to adjust its approach as circumstances evolve.
 
 
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
 
''As a Government, we are very mindful of the challenges being faced by increasing fuel costs and remain fully committed to supporting those most at risk.
 
Today's measures will help shield households and businesses from the recent unprecedented hikes in fuel prices. 
 
We are making interventions to reduce the price at the pump for all, to protect our most vulnerable, and to support our haulage industry, as a critical enabler of our economy.
 
More broadly, we are making crucial investments in renewable energy, in our electricity grid and, importantly, in energy efficiency.
 
Moving away from fossil fuels is key to reducing the impact of the current crisis and future crises.
 
We are continuing to monitor the situation and will respond accordingly as the need arises.''
 
 
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris said:
 
“Today, Government is taking action to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy.
 
We are reducing excise on petrol and diesel. When taken with a reduction in the NORA Levy, that means 22 cent off a litre of diesel and 17 cent off a litre of petrol.
 
We are also conscious that people are worried about the cost of home heating oil. That’s why we are extending the fuel allowance season by a further four weeks – helping the likes of our pensioners, carers, people with a disability and low-income working families.
 
It’s also really important we help sectors of our economy most impacted in the rise of fuel costs, such as our hauliers, bus and coach operators. That’s why we are expanding the diesel rebate scheme and backdating it to January.
 
The measures that we are introducing today are a direct response to the worrying conflict in the Middle East, a conflict that we all hope can be brought to an end.
 
We will navigate this period of volatility. But, to put it bluntly, nobody knows what the situation will be in a month from now; we must remain flexible in our response.
 
Such periods of volatility highlight Ireland’s relative strengths. Solid budgetary management in recent years means we now have the capacity to respond in a timely and targeted way to help those most affected by this energy price shock. This conflict is also a reminder that we must accelerate our transition towards energy independence.
 
Government will continue to assess the economic impact as it evolves, and my Department will publish a full set of economic and fiscal forecasts in the coming weeks.”
 
 
Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said: 
 
 
“These are practical, immediate measures that will make a real difference for people right across the country.
 
People are feeling the pressure every time they fill their car, heat their home or try to keep a business on the road. Today’s package is about easing that burden in fair and timely way.
 
The reduction in fuel costs at the pump, combined with the extension of the fuel allowance, will help around 470,000 households manage in what is a very uncertain period.
 
Importantly, we are also supporting our haulage and passenger transport sectors through the enhanced diesel rebate. These sectors are the backbone of our economy and keeping them moving is critical.
 
While these measures are temporary, they are designed to give people breathing space now, while we continue to monitor the situation and respond as needed.
 
We also need to look at the bigger picture and the future – we are supporting the transition to sustainable and renewable energy with many schemes like our retrofitting schemes. We need to continue to incentivise people and businesses to continue that transition.”
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien said:
 
“This Government understands the pressures that households and businesses are under, and we have responded today to the areas under the most acute pressure. This targeted intervention is time-bound, and we will continue to monitor and review the ever-evolving nature of this situation.
 
In relation to the haulage sector, I, and my Government colleagues, recognise the importance of the sector and the challenges that have faced due to the recent increase in fuel costs. This is a critical sector that plays a crucial role in keeping supply chains and the wider economy moving. The package of supports reflects the issues raised by the haulage industry and will have a direct impact on the cost of fuel at the pump. I remain committed to working with the haulage sector and will meet frequently with their representatives as the situation develops.
 
More broadly, this situation underlines, once again, why we must accelerate the deployment of renewables across all sectors, continue to invest in our grid, and continue to invest in retrofitting of homes and businesses across the country. We will not insulate ourselves from future price shocks unless we reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. The Government is committed to doing that in a way that protects households, businesses and the economy.”
 
Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary said: 
 
“We know that many people and families are facing higher energy costs at the moment as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
 
The expansion of the Fuel Allowance season is a targeted, practical intervention that will help those who need it most.
 
Around 470,000 pensioners, working families and other long-term social welfare recipients will receive additional financial support of €38 per week until May 1st, totalling €152.
 
This builds on the recent expansion of the Fuel Allowance to Working Family Payment recipients, which was backdated to 1 January 2026 and an increase in the Fuel Allowance to €38 per week from 1 January 2026.
 
As Minister for Social Protection, I will continue to work to support vulnerable households who face financial challenges.”
 

Just to give you an update that work is now getting underway by Uisce Éireann’s with works to replace old and damaged water mains in New Road, Balcarrick, Donabate.

From next week, crews will be installing approximately 1.3km of new, modern pipes that will strengthen the local network and reduce disruption to homes and businesses. 

The existing pipes were prone to bursts and leaks, leading to supply interruptions and the loss of treated drinking water, a valuable resource we all depend on.  Once complete, the works will provide a more reliable water supply and reduce high levels of leakage.  

The section of works will take place along New Road from the junction with R126 to the junction with Corballis roundabout. The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.  

Works will begin from 23 March and are scheduled to be completed in early summer. Once completed customers in this area will enjoy an improved water supply with less disruption. GMC Utilities Ltd are contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Uisce Éireann.  

Measures are  in place to keep disruption to an absolute minimum but to protect the public and our crews, a traffic management system will be in place during the works. Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained.

Please let me know if you need any further information.
 

Energy was a core pillar of Summit with focus on affordability, renewables and energy security

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien welcomed productive engagement with his UK counterpart on energy issues at the conclusion of the Ireland-UK Summit 2026 which took place in Cork. Alongside the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, and senior government colleagues, Minister O’Brien met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, for the second annual Summit.
Energy was a core pillar of Summit 2026, with a key focus on closer cooperation between both countries to deploy offshore wind at scale, increased electricity interconnection and securing critical infrastructure in our shared maritime space. In an ambitious communiqué, both countries undertook to work together in areas such as marine planning, interconnection, data exchange and energy affordability.
Speaking at the conclusion of the Summit, Minister O’Brien said:
“Recent events in the Middle East have shown the deep vulnerabilities in energy systems which are dependent on fossil fuel imports. The best way to secure our energy independence and drive down consumer costs is to deploy home-grown renewable energy at scale. Ireland and the UK are committed to decarbonising our energy supply, and this Summit set out a number of key actions which we will deliver together to turn our shared maritime space into a thriving hub for offshore wind deployment, increased electricity interconnection and enhanced marine protected area networks.
This Summit has come as Ireland reaches 8GW of onshore renewable electricity generation, which is a significant milestone. We’re building on this both in Ireland and with our near neighbours, creating opportunities for jobs, investments, and a more stable economy.”
This year’s Summit saw the signing of an expanded Memorandum of Understanding between the electricity transmission system operators of Ireland, Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EirGrid, NESO and SONI), to increase knowledge-sharing and cooperation.
Both Minister O’Brien and Secretary of State Miliband also welcomed progress on the privately developed MaresConnect Interconnector – which will be the fourth subsea electricity interconnector between the island of Ireland and the UK – and committed to showing visible progress on the North-South Interconnector by the end of 2026.