We are in a 'war time scenario' and the old rules are out the window - that's the view of the Public Expenditure Minister as the Government prepares to introduce a cut to excise duty on petrol and diesel.
Prices on forecourts have hit €2 a litre in the past week as the Ukrainian conflict bites, but opposition parties say the planned cut of 15 to 20 cent per litre isn't enough.
However Minister Michael McGrath says the Government will keep measures like this under review.
"I think what we have learned over the course of the past two years, first of all dealing with a global pandemic is that we have to be agile.
"We are in a war time scenario, and tragically, we have war in Europe.
"We have 2 million refugees in two weeks have had to flee their home in Ukraine. And so in many respects, the old rules are out the window. Governments have to be in a position to respond swiftly."
