Minister Catherine Ardagh
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How is the current fuel price surge affecting Irish households?
The Clare Byrne Show on Newstalk with Aviva Insurance.
Now, I'm joined in the studio by Catherine Ardagh, who's Minister of State of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. You're very welcome.
Thank you for
coming in. We've just been talking about the budget and it really is all about fuel, isn't it?
Do you
feel in any way disheartened by that conversation that, you know, it feels today like any of the money that's lying around is going to go on fuel or is that the right thing to happen?
Absolutely.
I think people at
home are saying, especially there's like 700,000 houses who rely on kerosene. And it's a huge shock because this is the time of year where you ring up and you buy your full tank of fuel. And you're talking, you know, the prices are just, you know, incredible. Like there's more than double sometimes of what it cost last,
this time last year. 75% I think is the average increase.
75% increase. So I think it's really unfair not to do something for those homeowners at home, because obviously we have a huge, you know, there's the global crisis, there's the war in Iran, there's the issue with the Strait of Hormuz, and there's a huge issue with the global supply of oil. But it's having a direct effect on these 700,000 houses across our country, you know, a lot of them in rural Ireland. And most of our supply of, you know, of fuel in the city, we rely on gas. And we still have seen a steady increase in gas, but not as stark as that, you know, having to buy a full tank of fuel like
this week or next week. I'm sure you've seen and felt the pressure, though, coming on the excise at the pump on petrol and diesel. Do you think that the government can completely cushion people from those increases that we're seeing up and over and above two euro a litre?
What measures is the government taking to protect consumers through fuel allowances?
No, and obviously, Clare, budget talks are still very much ongoing. And the idea that we keep the current excise reliefs in place is possibly something that will be maintained. But I don't think that's going to cushion us from global factors in terms of the supply of crude oil and the price of crude oil. But what we can do and what the government is doing is that we are targeting fuel allowance. And if you look year on year, we've increased the income thresholds for fuel allowance. We've increased the rate of fuel allowance and we've increased the period in which fuel allowance is distributed to those who are in receipt of it from 28 weeks to 32
weeks. You'll know that the fuel protesters are planning to meet on Sunday now in Moat in Westmeath. Do you think that there is an implicit threat in the fact that that meeting is being held, that there could be protests again?
I think road haulers and those working as agricultural contractors have a genuine concern in relation to their businesses and the supply of... What they do is they supply food to our families, to our supermarkets, and they're a real cornerstone of our economy and they have to be listened to. And if you look at the measures we took last April, we're a government that listens... to the people, listens to their concerns. We listen to specific industries.
Only when
they block the roads is what they would say. Well, I don't think so, because I think that they took that measure of blocking the roads, but they were actively listened to and a huge package was put in place, a more generous package, like wasn't seen anywhere else across Europe. So what I'd say is, I imagine, you know, our finance minister, Jack Chambers, is listening. Tanisha is listening. You know, we got some anecdotes in today's papers in relation to what we might see. But I do know government negotiations are still ongoing and And I imagine the fuel crisis will be very much top of the agenda.
Why is the proposed stamp‑duty cut for first‑time buyers a contentious issue?
Just speaking about other concerns within your own party, Fianna Fáil, Seamus McGrath wanted stamp duty to be cut for first time buyers. That was slapped down really quickly by Simon Harris. And I get the impression from reports from the parliamentary party meeting that Fianna Fáil members are not impressed by that response.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
How is the current fuel price surge affecting Irish households?
0:01–1:43
2
What measures is the government taking to protect consumers through fuel allowances?
1:43–3:44
3
Why is the proposed stamp‑duty cut for first‑time buyers a contentious issue?
3:44–5:24
4
How are social‑media platforms handling dangerous driving videos involving young people?
5:24–7:16
5
What impact could the EU Kids Act have on under‑13s and teen social‑media use in Ireland?
7:16–8:38
6
Why is the legal‑aid shortage for young defendants a growing concern?
8:38–10:06
7
Should wrong‑way driving on motorways be treated as a serious criminal offence?
10:06–11:43
8
What broader justice reforms is the Minister proposing for youth and domestic abuse cases?
11:43–13:51
Speakers
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