Minister O’Brien updates Cabinet on progress of National Energy Affordability Taskforce

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.”