Long-term energy security key for households - O'Gorman

Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has said the State has the resources to protect people from the rising cost of living, but it needs a government that has the will "to see it through".

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Mr O’Gorman said Budget 2027 needed to provide short-term relief for families, while also preparing for another spike in fuel prices.

The Green Party is proposing implementing a €2.5bn fossil fuel inflation fund for targeted energy credits across next year and also to provide extra funding for solar panels and retrofits.

"This is specifically designed to deal with the short term and the long term because too much of what the Government's response over the last summer has been... purely short term.

"We're saying a fund of €2.5bn, once off in 2027, to do two things: First of all, to dramatically ramp up securing Irish households on their energy costs.

"So retrofit, more solar panels installed in homes, supporting Irish families transition to electric vehicles, giving them long-term security from the next spike in energy prices.

"But the fund would also make provision for targeted energy credits across 2027, recognising that many Irish families are suffering right now.

"I think it's those two elements, short-term support, but long-term changes to ensure Irish families enjoy energy security into the future," Mr O’Gorman said.

The Green Party leader highlighted Ireland’s dependency on fossil fuels, adding Ireland is one of a few countries which has a budget surplus to support the type of measure he is proposing.

"Let's use this surplus on this once-off basis to change that and give Irish households long-term energy security."

Mr O’Gorman said the Greens remain open to working with other parties; however, his focus is ensuring his party continues its recovery from the 2024 general election.

He added that the next government must have Green Party involvement.