TAOISEACH MICHEAL MARTIN has reiterated there won’t be a cliff edge for households and businesses when it comes to the restoration of excise on fuels.
On Thursday, Tánaiste Simon Harris said indicated a possible graduated response to ensure no “immediate cliff-edge” at the end of July when the excise cut of 32c a litre in diesel and 27c for petrol are due to finish.
“What I am saying is I get the point that it is not possible for somebody to absorb the full 32 cent,” Harris told the Dáil.
Speaking to reporters today, the Taoiseach said a decision on the matter will be taken by cabinet next week. The coalition party leaders will meet in advance on Monday.
He said the government will be “sensible”, stating that while there is still uncertainty around the peace deal with Iran, it looks more “positive” in terms of the Strait of Hormuz reopening.
The Taoiseach indicated this could mean a more “settled period ahead” when it comes to fossil fuels and pricing.
The Tánaiste said on Thursday that petrol prices and diesel prices now are lower than when the measures were brought that in.
“As for whether they are lower by the 32 cent, they are not. As for whether we need to try and avoid a cliff edge, I think we do. As for whether we also need to be responsible for public money, the taxpayers’ money and give ourselves options for the budget, etc., we do too. This is a balance that we have to get right,” he said.
Sinn Féin has argued that the current excise cuts should stay in place until the budget, stating that a phased rollback of the cuts cannot happen during the summer months when the Dáil is not sitting.
Harris has said he cannot ignore the fact that the price of oil is now falling or the fact that the Strait of Hormuz is currently open.
“I cannot ignore the costs,” he said, stating the “situation is different factually to when we brought in the original package and we need to work our way through that in the coming days”.