Minister O'Brien updates Cabinet on progress of National Energy Affordability Taskforce
- Published on: 7 May 2026
- Last updated on: 7 May 2026
The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien today brought a Memo to Cabinet on the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT). Minister O'Brien provided government with an update on the taskforce’s expanded scope, governance structures, and key deliverables as it works to address the energy affordability challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The memo outlines the taskforce's intensified response to the energy shock resulting from the conflict and sets out an overview of the current security of supply situation. Ireland's fuel supply chains remain robust and reliable. However, global energy prices remain highly volatile, and the ongoing conflict continues to put significant upward pressure on energy costs for households and businesses.
The NEAT is working intensively on an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be submitted to government in Q3 (2026). This Action Plan will be focused on short, medium and longer-term measures to support households and businesses – to meet their energy costs, and will be built around 4 key pillars:
- Addressing the price of energy
- Sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility
- Addressing energy poverty and customer protections
- Energy affordability for businesses
To facilitate a robust and coordinated cross-government response, a number of NEAT subgroups have been established, bringing together officials from a wide range of government departments and agencies. The taskforce is coordinating with the Departments of Transport; Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Finance in relation to the short-term response. A period of intensive engagement to refine options for consideration by the taskforce is currently underway, with subgroups meeting on an ongoing basis. The next meeting of the full NEAT is scheduled for tomorrow (7 May).
This work is being supported by structured engagement with relevant external stakeholders. An initial engagement with the Community and Voluntary Pillar – including representatives from the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Age Action, Irish Rural Link, the National Women's Council of Ireland, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Environmental Pillar – took place last week.
Minister O'Brien said:
"The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is driving energy prices in the wrong direction for households and businesses across Ireland. I am very conscious of the real pressure this is placing on families trying to manage household bills and on business trying to keep their costs under control. The government is taking action; we have already introduced €755 million in supports – including reductions in excise on fuel, the deferral of the carbon tax increase, an extended Fuel Allowance season, and enhanced supports for our hauliers, agricultural contractors and farmers – and we will continue to act as the situation develops. The government also launched the 'Saving Energy Saves Money' campaign which is designed to support householders and businesses to manage their energy costs, while highlighting the wide range of grants and financial supports available.
"The National Energy Affordability Taskforce is working at pace to develop a comprehensive response. An Energy Affordability Action Plan, built around tackling the cost of energy, protecting those most vulnerable to energy poverty, supporting businesses, and empowering consumers, will be brought to government in Q3.
"But we must also be honest about the longer term. We will not insulate ourselves from future price shocks unless we reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. That is why we are prioritising the development of more renewable energy – both onshore and offshore – and reforming the planning system to make it easier to build clean energy projects. Developing our own clean, indigenous energy is not just good for our climate; it is essential for our energy security and long-term competitiveness."
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce was established in June 2025 to identify and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. It is chaired by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, and brings together senior representatives from across government, the energy sector and regulatory bodies. The first report of the taskforce, published in November 2025, informed key aspects of Budget 2026, including the extension of the 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity.
The NEAT's expanded remit now encompasses both the longer-term Energy Affordability Action Plan and a coordinated national response to the energy shock arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
NEAT Subgroups
The following subgroups have been established to support the work of the Taskforce:
- Steering Committee
- Addressing the Price Subgroup
- Policy Response Subgroup (with an initial focus on Demand Measures, incorporating Sustainable Demand and Flexibility)
- Energy Poverty and Consumer Protections Subgroup
- Energy Affordability for Businesses Subgroup
- Energy Affordability Data and Modelling Group
- Communications Subgroup
- Energy Security Subgroup
- Oil Security of Supply Subgroup
- Gas & Electricity Security of Supply Subgroup
Saving Energy Saves Money Campaign
The Government of Ireland 'Saving Energy Saves Money' campaign is designed to support householders and businesses to manage their energy costs, while highlighting the wide range of grants and financial supports worth €755 million currently available to ease the pressure. Visit Reduce Your Use | Saving Energy Saves Money for further information on government supports, SEAI grants and simple ways to save energy at home, on the move or at work.