Simon Harris Extends Fuel Excise Cuts for Winter Period

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris announced that the Irish Government will extend excise cuts on petrol and diesel through late February or early March. Speaking in the Dáil, Harris stated that the measure is intended to provide certainty for the winter period. He further indicated that Budget 2027 will feature an energy package, a potential carbon tax cut on home heating oil, and increased fuel allowances for those at risk of fuel poverty.

The government also confirmed the extension of a fuel support scheme for farmers, which has distributed approximately €27 million of its €85 million budget. Simultaneously, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers directed government departments to limit spending growth to 6% or lower for 2027.

Opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, and Labour, criticized the measures as insufficient. They demanded a €400 energy credit and a windfall tax on energy companies to fund household support. While Harris acknowledged the merit of a coordinated EU-level windfall tax, he stopped short of committing to the specific energy credit requested by the opposition.