EU ‘working cooperatively’ with Ireland on fuel measures
The EU is working on a “package of measures” concerning energy, according to Michael McGrath, EU commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection.
He said that the EU is “working cooperatively” with Ireland on fuel measures.
McGrath added: “From our point of view, we always advocate for the importance of support measures being temporary, and being targeted, and also that we continue to travel the path of decarbonisation.
“Because ultimately, it is in all of our interests that we become more independent from an energy perspective and that we are not relying on fossil fuels that we are importing from the outside of the European Union.
“So, I acknowledge that the government has responded to the concerns that people have, that a very high cost of energy, which is directly traceable to the war in the Middle East.”
The commissioner explained that the European Union is now working on a package of measures concerning energy, which it will bring forward next week.
“Hopefully that can result in some additional measures that member states can deploy for the benefit of businesses and citizens who are carrying a heavy burden at the moment.
“That has to be acknowledged.”
Fuel support
Yesterday (April 12), a "comprehensive" €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing "unprecedented increases" in fuel costs has been announced.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed that the payments will cover the months of March up to the end of July which also coincides with peak fuel usage season for field work on farms.
The package comes in response to the sharp rise in the price of marked gas oil (green diesel), which has nearly doubled since February due to ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
The scheme will provide €20 million per month in supports, with funding directly linked to fuel usage last year to ensure those most impacted by the fuel price increase receive the greatest assistance.
