Simon Harris has said there are no plans to introduce Covid-style restrictions in response to the energy crisis caused by the US war in Iran, reports RTE.
His remarks come as new figures from the Central Statistics Office show that annual consumer price inflation is estimated to have reached 3.6% in the 12 months to March, reports RTE.
Prices increased by 1.8% compared to the previous month, according to the CSO’s flash estimate of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices.
This compares with an annual inflation rate of 2.5% in Ireland up to February 2026 and 1.9% across the Eurozone during the same period, reports RTE.
The CSO said energy prices rose by 11.1% خلال the month and were up 12.3% over the year to March 2026.
Mr Harris said the scale of the current energy crisis is unprecedented, but stressed there are no immediate supply concerns in Ireland or across Europe, reports RTE.
He said the situation differs significantly from the Covid-19 pandemic and confirmed there are no plans to restrict travel or daily activities.
“We are keeping all measures under review,” he added, reports RTE.
The Tánaiste said that even if the war ended immediately, it could take up to a year to repair the damage to infrastructure, based on estimates from the International Energy Agency.
He noted that while energy-saving advice was issued during the Ukraine conflict, similar guidance may be required again, reports RTE.
However, he emphasised that the Government’s priority remains de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Mr Harris said the economy is still expected to grow this year, with rising incomes placing Ireland in a relatively strong position to respond, reports RTE.
Pearse Doherty called on the Government to introduce further reductions in the cost of diesel, petrol and home heating oil following the latest inflation figures.
He warned that failing to control rising fuel and energy costs could significantly impact food prices and other sectors, placing further strain on households, reports RTE.
He also said farmers and fishermen are dissatisfied with what he described as a “measly” cut to green diesel excise duty announced last week, and called for additional reductions.
The CSO said food prices fell by 0.3% over the past month but rose by 2.3% over the past year, reports RTE.
Statistician Anthony Dawson said the increase in energy costs “may have been influenced by recent events in the Middle East.”
He noted that the data was collected in mid-March, before Government measures to address energy costs were introduced, reports RTE.
The figures are part of the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which allows comparisons across Eurozone countries.
The official Consumer Price Index for Ireland for March is due to be published by the CSO on 9 April, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
