The Government's Energy Security Emergency Group meets later to discuss contingency plans in the event of fuel shortages caused by the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

It will formulate plans to supply energy to certain industries, like food and medicine producers, if there was to be a serious interruption to oil supplies this winter.

According to the Irish Times, the 'worst-case-scenario' plans would also involve fuel rationing at the petrol pumps.

While certain service stations would be tasked with providing fuel to more than 40 categories of emergency and essential workers.

The Government launched its National Energy Security Framework back in April.

It sets out potencial supports for households and businesses - with a particular focus on protecting those most at-risk of fuel poverty.

It also looks at how consumers and businesses can be supported to save energy and money.

An image symbolic of energy costs with an electricity meter with Euro banknotes. Picture by: imageBROKER / Alamy Stock Photo

While in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD John Brady last week, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said they weren't expecting "significant supply difficulties".

"In terms of the supply of oil products, including oil used for home heating purposes, the supply outlook is positive, with no significant supply difficulties expected by Government or the oil companies.

"Notwithstanding this, the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) currently holds approximately 85 days of oil stocks - including considerable quantities of home heating kerosene - which can be utilised in the event of any shortage of product arising in the markets", Mr Ryan said.

"In the context of contingency planning to deal with any prolonged and severe oil emergency, work continues on operational planning for all scenarios", he added.

He also noted that in the case of a gas emergency, care homes and nursing homes would be considered protected customers.

While speaking back in April, Minister Ryan said: "The National Energy Security Framework is a comprehensive response to the emerging and developing impacts on our energy system caused by the war in Ukraine.

"It sets out how Ireland is prepared to deal with potential shocks to our energy system.

"The war in Ukraine also underpins how important it is that we switch at speed and at scale to our own indigenous renewable energy sources.

"The energy price increases that we have experienced are related to fossil fuels primarily.

"This framework is pointing us away from fossil fuels and towards greater levels of indigenous renewable energy", he added.