The Government can absorb some of the rising energy costs for people but cannot "eliminate" them, an energy expert has warned.
It is widely expected a series of measures will be announced tomorrow to alleviate the rising cost of fuel.
The price of petrol, diesel and home heating oil has increased substantially over the last two weeks as a result of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at UCC, Dr Paul Deane, told Behind the Story that the Government can only go so far.
"There is wiggle room, it is important (and) it is going to ease the hardship, but it won't eliminate it," he said.
"The Government…. can reduce excise but they only reduce it to a limit – they must stay within European law.
"They can’t reduce excise to zero, excise can’t go below approximately 33c."
Dr Deane said he expects the measures to "blunt the edge rather than dulling it completely".
Ireland 'exposed’
Dr Deane said Ireland is still one of the biggest importers of fossil fuels.
"In many ways it’s very much echoing the older oil crises of the ‘70s and the ‘80s, when it was a lot of the same actors, a lot of the same part of the world, and a lot of the same commodity was impacted," he said.
"What has really shone the light here in Ireland is just how reliant we are on fossil fuels.
"We think of Ireland as being very green, clean and sustainable but we are today one of the most fossil fuel reliant economies in Europe."
Dr Deane said Ireland is "very much exposed" to what happens in the Gulf region.
He said that damage to oil infrastructure in the Gulf countries could also delay any drop in prices coming down the line.
"If we take oil of the ground, it’s useless - it needs to be refined," Dr Deane explained.
"If refining capacity has been damaged in the Gulf… that’ll be reflected in higher prices. But it’s a little too early to say how that will go."
‘Love Story’
Meanwhile, music journalist Jenn Gannon also joins Evelyn O’Rourke to talk about the latest streaming hit: ‘Love Story'.
The Disney+ production explores the whirlwind courtship and high-profile marriage of John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette.
However, the drama series has generated some controversy on its portrayal of some people.
You can listen to Behind the Story on the RTÉ Radio Player.
You can also find episodes on Apple here, or on Spotify here.
