Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is "reluctant" to say when a decision will be made on whether the Government intervenes on high fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The Government has been pressed on whether it will intervene on soaring fuel costs sparked by the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel.
Households have reported high petrol and diesel costs, and the Dáil was told the price of home heating oil had effectively doubled to €800 per 500 litres compared to before and after Iran was bombed two weeks ago.
Mr Martin said putting a timeframe on when the Government would decide whether to intervene was difficult as the situation in the Middle East was fluid.
He said the Government was still keeping the rise in fuel prices "under active review" as he began engagements for St Patrick's Day in the US.
"I'm reluctant to put timeframes on it, but obviously it's a very moving situation," he said, speaking at a famine memorial in Philadelphia.
"We will be, as I said, keeping it under active review on a number of fronts."
He said there were four parts to energy costs which operated under a "very complex" framework.
"There are about four component parts to energy prices. First, the actual generation costs themselves; secondly, the grid charges; thirdly, taxes and levies; and fourthly, the ETS system.
"Clearly, member states have flexibility in respect of taxes and levies, and, as I said, we're keeping everything under active review."
Taoiseach stresses importance of US and Irish trade links
The Taoiseach's comments on potential energy supports came during his official four-day visit to the United States, as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations.
He has stressed the importance of trade links between the United States and Ireland.
During a speech in Villanova University, he told the audience that Ireland's relationship with America is one of the most important.
He said Ireland is now the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment in the US, with investment by Irish companies valued at $390 billion.
"The economic benefits flow both ways, creating prosperity and jobs for large numbers of people on both sides of the Atlantic" he said.
Combined bilateral trade between Ireland and Pennsylvania is valued at over $9 billion, according to the Taoiseach.
"I know that there are challenges but let me assure you our commitment to the United States is steadfast" he said.
"As a small open economy, our position is to support open, rules-based trade, and to keep the transatlantic partnership steady - because it underpins critical jobs and investment on both sides of the Atlantic" he added.
US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh attended the Mr Martin's keynote address at the university along with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.
Mr Martin began his visit with a trip to the Irish Memorial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He laid a wreath at the structure which is dedicated to those who died in the famine as well as the millions of Irish who made the US their home.
Members of the Irish-American community welcomed the Taoiseach at the monument including local politicians.
Mr Martin was joined by the Irish Ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason.
"On an annual basis we come here on St Patrick's week to first of all reflect on and pay tribute to all of those who created that unique and historical link between Ireland and America," he said.
Mr Martin privately toured the Museum of the American Revolution.
He is in Pennsylvania this weekend before travelling to Washington DC for the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking ahead of his visit to the White House
The Taoiseach will hold a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday in the White House.
The White House St Patrick's Day reception, including the traditional shamrock gifting ceremony, will take place on the evening of 17 March.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Martin said the trip will highlight trade and investment between the two nations.
He also said there will be opportunities to discuss global matters, including how Ireland and the EU can work with the United States to reach peaceful resolutions to conflicts in the Middle East and in Ukraine.
"St Patrick's Day is an opportunity to recognise Ireland's global community and the enduring connections that link people of Irish heritage around the world," the Taoiseach said before his departure from Cork.
"The relationship between Ireland and the United States is one of our most enduring, rooted in history and exemplified by the roles so many Irish immigrants played in the pursuit of American independence some 250 years ago.
"I expect there will also be an opportunity to discuss global matters, including how Ireland and the EU can work with the United States to reach peaceful resolutions in the Middle East and Ukraine," Mr Martin added.
Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Cormac Ó hEadhra, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said that Mr Martin should not go to the White House.
"We were humiliated last year," he said, adding that it was an awkward and wasted press conference where Mr Martin was too nervous to raise substantive issues.
Meanwhile, Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins said Mr Martin should be brave and say the things that need to be said as an experienced statesman.
"He needs to call out the illegal war in Iran," she said.
Additional reporting Jackie Fox
