Taoiseach Micheal Martin has played down the possibility of winter fuel rationing as the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to be felt around the world.
Concerns have grown over Russian plans to 'strangle' Europe's gas supplies and the international energy markets remain volatile.
Cork Beo reports that the Fianna Fail leader was in East Cork today to officially open a new Stryker facility in Carrigtwohill which will deliver 600 jobs.
Read More: Medical tech firm Stryker creates 600 jobs in Cork at new 3D printing facility
While there, he was asked about the cost of living crisis and the September Budget, which is expected to bring in more relief for families facing soaring energy bills.
The Taoiseach said the Government was closely monitoring the situation on the international energy markets and supplies in Europe.
Ireland currently gets gas from both the UK and Norway following the decommissioning of the Kinsale Gas Field, which had supplied much of Ireland's domestic and business needs, but Mr Martin pointed out that Ireland does have strategic oil and gas reserves.
On the question of winter rationing of fuel for vehicles or home heating, the Fianna Fail leader said: "We do not anticipate that at all at this stage, but in the Budget towards the end of September we will be looking at measures, first of all, that can look at the more medium to long term energy costs for people, but also in terms of the cost of living package that will be parallel with the Budget, that we can do something immediately for people to alleviate the pressures in this calendar year and before the end of the year."
On the possibility of a coalition government with Sinn Fein after the next general election, the Taoiseach again said he would not rule it out.
But pointing to what he claimed were the 'anti-enterprise' and 'anti-European Union' policies of the party that seems odds on to have the most number of TDs after the next election, the Taoiseach said Sinn Fein would be 'difficult to work with'.
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