Government to Decide on Fuel Excise Duty Cuts by Mid-July Recess

The Government will decide on cuts to excise duty on petrol and diesel before the Dáil recess in mid-July, according to Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris. He indicated a possible graduated response to avoid an «immediate cliff-edge» when the current excise cuts—32c per litre for diesel and 27c for petrol—are set to expire at the end of July.

The original tax reductions were implemented in March and April due to supply instability in the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war. Harris acknowledged that while people cannot absorb the full 32c increase, the price of oil is now falling, and the Strait of Hormuz is open, unlike when the original package was introduced. He noted diesel is now cheaper than petrol.

Responding to Sinn Féin spokesman Pearse Doherty and Fianna Fáil TD John Connolly in the Dáil, Harris stated decisions would be made in time to provide clarity. Doherty expressed concern that prices could rise to €2 per litre and that businesses need certainty for planning. Harris accused Doherty of «riling everybody up» and assured a «rounded, informed decision» based on available evidence.