The Minister for Public Expenditure has hinted the Government is unlikely to provide households with further energy credits this year.
The cost of gas remains nearly double its price in 2020, while electricity prices are 60% higher.
Civil servants have told ministers that further energy credits will be needed to protect thousands of households from being plunged into fuel poverty.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Jack Chambers appeared to rule out their inclusion in Budget 2026.
“That means that if there’s any decision - particularly around social protection and supporting households - it won’t be done in a temporary one-off context,” he said.
“It has to fit within the budgetary parameters which we’re setting out.
“We want to move away from a position of one off measures and ad hoc measures and make sure that we’ve fiscal sustainability in the decisions that we make.”
Euro money banknotes and a radiator. Picture by: Alamy.com. Minister Chambers also warned that if the Trump administration imposes tariffs on European imports, it would have an “extremely damaging and disruptive” impact on the Irish economy.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State told Tánaiste Simon Harris that Washington is keen to “address the US-Ireland trade imbalance”, in which Ireland has a €50 billion trade goods surplus with America.
Minister Chambers said he hoped there would be a “more balanced conversation on trade” in the future.
United States President Donald J. Trump speaks during the Shamrock Bowl Presentation at the White House in Washington in 2018. Picture by: Alex Edelman/CNP/AdMedia/Newscom/Alamy Live News“When you account for the services that we import, it’s a much more balanced position,” he said.
“That’s what the Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner Šefčovič. is articulating in the context of the broader discussions we’re seeing in terms of international trade.
“Ireland is a significant investor into the US - the sixth largest in the world.
“And it’s trying to articulate that in the context of a mutually beneficial economic relationship - which our two countries have.”
It is expected that trade between Ireand and the US will be raised by the Taoiseach when he visits the White House for St Patrick’s Day next week.
Main image: Split of Jack Chambers and an energy bill. Pictures by Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland and Alamy.com
