![\"minister-for-housing-darragh-obrien-speaking-to-the-media-at-the-official-opening-of-killhedge-gardens-lusk-co-dublin-picture-date-friday-september-27-2024\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788951568_436_.jpeg\")
\n Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
TAOISEACH MICHEAL MARTIN has warned that petrol and diesel prices rising above \u20ac2 per litre will become the \u201cnew norm\u201d.<\/p>\n
Martin said the State-established energy expert group has advised that prices could rise and stay above the \u20ac2 mark.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the end of the Fianna F\u00e1il think-in in Tullamore, Martin described it as a \u201cmoving situation\u201d caused by the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
The threshold of \u20ac2 per litre sparked the nationwide fuel protests earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Last month, the government paused a planned increase to fuel excise duty and will instead implement a phased return of excise duty costs.<\/p>\n
Martin said: \u201cThey\u2019re (expert group) making the point to our minister that, as far as they can see out on the horizon, this seems to be a new norm and that a lot of this is being priced in because of the volatility around the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that means we have to stand back a bit. We\u2019ve got to engage with all of government as to what\u2019s the best way to map our way forward, to protect people as best we can, mindful also of the wider budgetary pressures.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think it suffices to say, we\u2019re looking at everything in the round and nothing ruled out, nothing ruled in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s wise to put a particular price threshold on it because it\u2019s a moving situation, and we have other priorities as well that I\u2019ve discussed,\u201d said Martin.\n<\/p>\n
Minister said prices to stay the same for up to 24 months<\/p>\n
Speaking to\u00a0The Journal\u00a0at the think-in,\u00a0O\u2019Brien said unfortunately, the outlook is that the current price levels are going to stay elevated for the next 12 to 24 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo even if the crisis in the Middle East ended tomorrow, not just because of the infrastructural damage that\u2019s been done, but because the premium now, the risk premium on refined products has increased. So we\u2019re going to see these elevated prices for some time to come, and that\u2019s no consolation to anyone, but we\u2019ll do whatever we feasibly can to assist,\u201d said the minister.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
Speaking about the budget, the minister said the best way to offset the high energy costs is to bring in permanent measures that deliver permanent savings.<\/p>\n
The minister said he is looking to introduce additional grants, but he ruled out an increase to the existing ones.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Grants for domestic battery grants are being considered, with the minister stating that it \u201cmakes a lot of sense\u201d for households to be able to store their own energy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that many people don\u2019t have the money upfront, stating that\u00a0he is investigating if a household could make a net payment at purchase. Instead of having to go through the SEAI grant application, the minister wants the grant to be given at source.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that would definitely speed that up,\u201d he added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Carbon tax shortfall will have to come from central funds<\/p>\n
On the issue of the carbon tax, O\u2019Brien said the carbon tax gives the government the money to provide retrofitting grants.<\/p>\n
While he said he recognised that we are in a climate of elevated prices, the minister said the carbon tax is a very important climate measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019ve said is if, and it\u2019s not agreed, if there\u2019s a pause on the increases in carbon tax, the money that would have been forthcoming through the increases needs to still come in to the department,\u201d said the minister.\u00a0<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said his department needs that income if 70,000 home retrofits are to be carried out this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe carbon tax is a critical way of us funding that\u2026 what I\u2019m saying as Minister for Climate, Energy, Environment, this tax is really important for us to make permanent changes for our households, for our families. It does reduce emissions. It does make our households more efficient, and we use less energy and it saves on pricing,\u201d said the minister, adding:<\/p>\n
\nSo if there\u2019s to be a pause in the increases, that amount of tax foregone will need to be paid into the department through central funds, if that is the case.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, the Minister for Finance actually approves the carbon tax increases, but as part of the National Development Plan ceilings, as part of the work that I have to do between now and 2030, the carbon tax increases is baked into my capital ceilings. So if that\u2019s taken out, it needs to be filled with something else. That\u2019s what I\u2019m saying,\u201d said O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n
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