Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
49. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department intends to conduct a wholesale review of the taxes and levies which are applied to motor fuels such as petrol and diesel following the recent fuel price spikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29022/26]
View answer60. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department intends to conduct a wholesale review of the taxes and levies which are applied to motor fuels such as petrol and diesel following the recent fuel price spikes; whether his Department intends to conduct a wholesale review of the taxes and levies which are applied to home heating oil following the recent price spikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29023/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 60 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, as part of the energy support packages to alleviate increased fuel costs Government announced temporary, significant reductions in excise rates applying to auto diesel, petrol and Marked Gas Oil. I have also deferred the increase on carbon tax which was due to take effect from 1 May until 14 October 2026.
Further, there were significant non tax measures announced, including the reduction in the National Oil Reserves Agency levy to a nominal amount, the extension of the fuel allowance scheme by 4 weeks and two new schemes to support farmers, agricultural contractors, fishers and road transport operators.
These temporary measures have been taken in the context of the extreme volatility which has impacted energy markets arising from the conflict in the Middle East.
My Department monitors energy, electricity and fuel prices on an ongoing basis. Policy options with regard to excise duty rates on energy products are considered as part of the annual Budgetary cycle which includes the presentation of tax policy options to the Tax Strategy Group. This involves consideration of policy rationale behind tax rates including relevant social, environmental and economic factors. Previous Tax Strategy Group Papers are available online: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/collections/budget-2026-tax-strategy-group-papers/.
