One issue dominated the political agenda in Leinster House this week. It involved the €250 million-odd suite of cost-of-living measures brought in by the Government to help with soaring energy costs – and the Opposition’s dissatisfaction with it.
The excise cuts for petrol and diesel have begun to have an effect on the cost of fuel at forecourts around the country. However, they may only cushion the increases that have been seen, not eliminate them entirely.
For three days in a row, Sinn Féin used Leaders’ Questions to claim the Coalition has abandoned 750,000 households that rely on home-heating fuel.
On Wednesday, party leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Government’s measures would mean a 2 cent reduction per litre and “a lousy €20 off a fill of oil that has skyrocketed to around €1,700”.
READ MORE
She added: “That took some neck, all the more so given that this lousy €20 will be taken back when the Government increases carbon taxes in a couple of weeks.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin hit back, highlighting how the previous evening Sinn Féin had voted against cuts in excise for petrol and diesel. If it had succeeded, he said, “there would be no reductions at all”.
He pointed out that people will benefit from those cuts and 470,000 households will get four more weeks of fuel-allowance payments.
Sinn Féin clearly believe home-heating oil is an issue the Government is vulnerable on.
The summer months may see a drop in demand for home-heating oil – something the Government is relying on.
However, the longer the conflict in Iran continues, the greater the impact on energy prices, with all the ensuing political peril that entails for the Government.
For instance, the temporary excise cuts are due to expire on May 31st.
With the Galway West and Dublin Central byelections set to take place towards the end of May, expect much focus on fuel costs – and pressure to extend cuts – if prices are still high while politicians are knocking on people’s doors.
The Coalition is keeping its options open when it comes to the possibility of further cost-of-living measures in the months ahead.
Cost-of-living supports are not the only demands being made on the State’s finances.
Pat Leahy and Cliff Taylor report today that other Government departments will be asked to bail out the Department of Education, which is facing another large budget overspend this year, estimated at between €600 million and €700 million.
Elsewhere, Diarmuid Ferriter writes on the opinion pages today that 50 years after the oil crises of the 1970s, Ireland is still a slave to oil.
Chaos continues in the Middle East
So what are the chances of the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran ending any time soon?
US president Donald Trump does seem to be trying to de-escalate the conflict he led his country into as he extended a pause on threats to bomb Iranian energy plants by 10 days.
There are contradictory claims by the US and Iranian sides over whether peace talks are taking place. Meanwhile, Israel continues to kill Iran’s top brass – the latest being the naval commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Alireza Tangsiri.
Órla Ryan has been running the irishtimes.com live story on the conflict today and it can be found here.
Limerick plant linked to supply chain for Russian arms makers
With the turmoil in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine is getting less attention in recent weeks. However, this week saw The Irish Times publish an investigation in conjunction with the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) on the Limerick plant linked to the supply chain for Russian arms makers.
Conor Gallagher reported that Russian smelters supplied by the Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick are selling vast amounts of aluminium to a trading company that supplies dozens of Russian arms manufacturers.
The project uncovered financial records linking the Irish industrial plant to a supply chain which ends with the making of weapons, including cruise missiles, bombers and tanks used in the invasion of Ukraine.
Aughinish Alumina said in response to queries that it operates in strict compliance with all applicable laws, sanctions and regulations.
Two Government departments are to review findings of The Irish Times investigation following a commitment in the Dáil from the Taoiseach to examine the matter.
Best Reads
Our Washington Correspondent Keith Duggan has a piece on how US vice-president JD Vance has had a quiet few months but now he’s back in the spotlight.
Independent Senators want a referendum to cap the number of TDs in the Dáil. Marie O’Halloran reports here.
A halted development of 52 unfinished houses at the Rock of Cashel are to be demolished. Sarah Burns has the story.
Harry McGee has an update on the Galway West byelection. On Thursday, Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard announced his intention to stand in the election, which will be held in May. On Sunday night, as many as 300 delegates are expected to attend the Fianna Fáil selection convention for the byelection, with three councillors seeking the nomination.
Seán Lemass was a politician characterised by his refusal to be defined by the past or by keeping old divisions alive, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said. He was speaking at the launch of a new book on the former Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader entitled Seán Lemass, The Lost Memoir. The book was written by Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy. The write-up of the launch is here.
