Overview
- Cabinet agreed Thursday to keep the temporary April excise cuts in place until October 31 and to restore rates in four stages from the start of November through the end of February.
- The Dáil has been recalled for a short emergency sitting to approve the financial resolution required to defer the planned September and October excise increases.
- The coalition also extended the reduced NORA levy to October 31 and prolonged the enhanced diesel rebate for transport operators until December 31.
- Opposition parties said the measures are short-term and pressed for no further increases while prices stay high, with the Social Democrats proposing a €400 targeted energy credit for households earning up to €70,000 and a data-centre levy they estimate could raise about €85 million.
- Fuels industry groups welcomed the extra certainty but warned that volatile global oil markets and geopolitical risks make timing future tax changes unpredictable and called for evidence-based policy and consultation.