Government undecided on further delay to planned carbon tax increase
Monday 7 September 2026
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has confirmed that no final decision has been made on whether to defer the upcoming carbon tax hike.
The Government has not yet decided whether to further delay the planned carbon tax increase, according to Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1, Minister Chambers confirmed that no final decision has been reached on whether to postpone the tax hike for a second time. This follows comments from Minister Darragh O’Brien, who indicated that a further deferral of the measure is currently under consideration in upcoming budget negotiations.
Background on the Deferral
The planned increase to €71 per tonne was originally scheduled to take effect on 1 May 2026. Following fuel protests in April, the government opted to postpone the implementation of the increase until 14 October 2026.
The carbon tax is levied on a range of fuel supplies in Ireland, including:
- Home heating oil
- Natural gas supplies
- Coal and peat
- Petrol and diesel
Budgetary Considerations
Minister Chambers noted that the government is highly conscious of the impact of energy prices on households. While the schedule of tax increases remains under review, the government is considering the measures in the context of broader budgetary decisions to balance environmental targets with the financial pressures facing families.