Government Announces New Fuel Supports Following Nationwide Protests
The Irish government has introduced additional fuel support measures targeting specific workers and businesses, following widespread protests across the country in recent weeks.
Government ministers emphasize that the support package was already in development prior to the demonstrations, which caused significant disruption on major motorways and the main street of Dublin, the nation’s capital.
In recent months, the government reduced excise duty on diesel and petrol. The latest measures focus specifically on hauliers, farmers, agricultural contractors, and fishers.
Prior to the protests, excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel had been implemented. Since the protests, further reductions have been made, alongside a new support package for farmers, hauliers, and coach drivers.
On Wednesday, Irish government ministers detailed the package at Government Buildings in Dublin.
Road Transporters Supports Scheme
The Road Transporters Supports Scheme, valued at €120 million (£104 million), is designed for hauliers and bus and coach operators.
This scheme will be backdated to March and applies from the point when average national diesel prices exceeded €1.90 per litre (£1.65). This threshold is used to identify when fuel costs become unsustainable for commercial transport operators.
Payments under this scheme will be graduated based on the number of vehicles an operator holds on their license:
- Operators with up to and including five vehicles will receive €1,350 per vehicle;
- Operators with six to 20 vehicles will receive €790 per vehicle;
- Operators with over 21 vehicles will receive €300 per vehicle.
Applications for this scheme will open in May.
Fuel Support Scheme for Farmers, Contractors, and Fishers
A second initiative, the Fuel Support Scheme, was also announced. This scheme targets farmers, agricultural contractors, and fishers, with a budget of €100 million (£87 million).
This support will be backdated to cover the period from March to the end of July and aims to assist those affected by increases in the price of green diesel, which is predominantly used by farmers and agricultural contractors.
Recipients will receive a support rate equivalent to approximately 20 euro cents per litre, or €200 per 1,000 litres of marked gas oil (also known as green diesel), based on verified usage in 2025.
Additional Measures and Government Spending
The Irish government is also launching a communications campaign to provide advice to households and businesses on managing energy costs.
In total, the government has allocated €755 million (£654 million) towards fuel supports in recent months, combining the latest announcements with previous excise duty reductions.
Moreover, planned annual increases to the carbon tax have been postponed.
Government Officials’ Statements
Irish Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien described the package as:
"timebound and targeted"
He added:
"We will retain the ability to respond further should we need to, but we have to manage the finances in a sustainable way."
Irish Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon stated that the government is:
"responding in real time" to challenges.
