Government measures to cut the cost of fuel “cannot eliminate the pain” people are facing, a Government Minister has warned.
Yesterday, the Government defeated a motion of no confidence in Dáil Éireann tabled by Sinn Féin by 92 votes to 78.
The party’s President, Mary Lou McDonald, told the Dáil that the Government had “stood idly by while workers, families, communities and key sectors, the backbone of the Irish economy, struggled hard”.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke insisted that the Government “knows the pressures that people are under”.
“We've brought forward the biggest package per capita by multiples in the EU now to support our citizens right around our country,” he said.
“March, we've brought through the first intervention, which was a quarter of a billion euro.
“We were very clear at that juncture that there would be further interventions to come - but we had to work out with the various different sectors in relation to what would best suit their needs.
“And we've done that now with three quarter of a billion euro package.”
Hours of backslapping and self-praise from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents. Still not listening. But the cracks are starting to show in this arrogant government. They’ve lost two TDs. Let’s keep the pressure up. This is not over. The people must be heard. pic.twitter.com/Fk2h4V9LaY
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) April 14, 2026
The IMF has predicted the war in Iran could trigger a global recession, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has insisted a “small bit of economic pain” will be worth it if the conflict makes the world a safer place.
On Sunday, the Government announced a further 10 cents cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel, as well as a 2.4 cent cut in green diesel. An increase in the carbon tax has also been pushed back from May to October.
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However, Minister Burke admitted that many people will still feel worse off.
“We have to be so honest here, we cannot eliminate the pain or the blow completely,” he said.
“No Government can do that, but we can try and absorb some of it.
“And every government's duty is to be compassionate, to protect the most vulnerable through the Social Welfare Code.”
An elderly lady wearing a fleece and holiding hot water bottle. Picture by: Alamy.com.The Fine Gael TD for Longford-Westmeath continued that the extension of the season for Fuel Allowance amounts to a “very significant intervention” as well.
“[We’re trying to] protect the 2.83 million workers going to work this morning, which is at a record high and we've done that through price at the pumps, trying to support them as best we can,” he argued.
“And also to ensure we try and mitigate the effects of inflation; the groceries, the bread and milk, getting on our shelves and we've done that through trying to support those who make food and also those who get it on their shelves, the logistics behind that.”
The Opposition claims nothing has been done. This is manifestly untrue.
We are implementing significant action, with a total package of €750 million designed to very directly help protect jobs and keep costs down. pic.twitter.com/rXcJrE9aWQ
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 14, 2026
Minister Burke added that the Government had won the no confidence vote by a “significant” margin of 14.
“The coalition is very resolute, it is very strong, it has a very significant margin,” he said.
“But one critical thing is, for the quarter of a billion intervention and the intervention last night, these are financial resolutions giving money back to people.
“The opposition voted all over the place on them and Sinn Féin opposed the reduction in fuel for petrol, opposed the reduction in fuel for diesel and opposed the reduction for contractors.
“So, the opposition is all over the place.”
Main image: A motorist fills with up fuel. Picture by: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.
