Simon Harris rejects requests to recall Dáil over cost of living

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

It would be “premature” and “foolish” to announce more cost-of-living measures at this time, the Tánaiste said as he dismissed requests to recall the Dáil.

Simon Harris said current advice to the Government is that there “isn’t a particular concern” about fuel supplies.

However, the Finance Minister warned that the situation is “fast evolving” with further damage to energy infrastructure occurring in the war in the Middle East.

He said it was “prudent” to put in place “advisory measures” for households and businesses on energy use.

“We stand ready to consider further measures in the time ahead but I’ve got to be honest with people: we have to prepare not just for the days ahead, but for the months ahead, for the year ahead – and that’s why we have to take this step by step.”

Mr Harris told reporters at the 1916 Easter Rising commemoration that the economic challenge would be lessened if the war concluded before winter.

“It’s a very different crisis in the summer months than it could be in the winter months.

“Obviously, we hope to see this war end. I think it’s true to say there’s an economic challenge no matter what happens.

“The economic challenge, though, is easier to manage if the war comes to an end – at least then we have an end in sight and we work to rebuild.

“My concern is, though, if this war continues through a winter period where there’s always an increased demand on energy, that becomes a more challenging situation.”

Asked about calls for the Dail to be recalled to introduce further measures on fuel prices, Mr Harris said: “I have no interest in performative politics but what I do have in an interest in is working every single day on this extraordinary moment of economic challenge.

“The world is going through an economic crisis, which is hard to overstate the significance of, and the energy crisis that we’re living through now is the worst the world has ever seen.

“And it’s really important that day in, day out, hour in, hour out, Government works intensively with colleagues across state agencies and indeed across the world, as we seek to navigate this.”

Mr Harris said the coalition would have a leaders’ meeting on the issue of energy in the week ahead, also involving Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister of State Seán Canney, who represents the independents who supported Government formation.

“That’s a really important opportunity for us to be briefed and take stock on where we’re at from an energy supply and energy security point of view.

“I would also say this to the Irish people: while this is a moment of challenge, this is not 2008.

“The Irish economy is in a strong position. We have a country with full employment, our economy is growing and fiscal buffers built up.”

He added: “We will work our way through this and at this stage, it would be premature and foolish to rule anything further in or out.”