TULLAMORE, Co Offaly — Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that petrol and diesel prices remaining above €2 per litre could become a permanent fixture in Ireland, citing advice from energy experts on international market instability driven by conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking at the conclusion of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party think-in in Tullamore, County Offaly, Martin said the State-established energy expert group advised that high fuel costs appear to represent a "new norm" for the foreseeable future. He noted that significant risk premiums on refined oil products have been priced into global markets due to geopolitical volatility.

The €2-per-litre threshold previously served as a major flashpoint, triggering nationwide protests by hauliers and agricultural contractors earlier in the year. In response to public pressure, the Government previously paused a planned increase in fuel excise duty, opting instead for a phased return of duty costs.

Addressing potential cost-of-living relief ahead of Budget 2027, Martin stated that ministers are reviewing all options rather than setting a rigid price threshold for intervention. He indicated that the Government aims to provide medium-term certainty for households rather than relying on short-term fixes, while balancing competing demands such as childcare fee reductions, social welfare adjustments, and income tax relief.

Minister Daragh O'Brien separately stated at the event that market outlooks suggest forecourt prices could remain elevated for 12 to 24 months. He noted that even if geopolitical tensions ease, risk premiums and structural market conditions will keep costs higher, prompting the State to emphasize long-term energy measures such as retrofitting grants and solar power incentives alongside broader budget considerations.