Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is hopeful his fellow ministers in the Eurogroup will ratify his appointment as president of the group for a second term on Monday, December 5th.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Donohoe said he had been “making the case” for the work he had done in the role – how he had set expectations and had worked “very hard” to deliver them.
The three party leaders in Government had been “so supportive” and recognised what a benefit the position was to the country, he added.
Mr Donohoe said Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath was an “exceptional” Minister and the two had a close working relationship.
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The Minister went on to outline details of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, which is available from this weekend and will be operated by Revenue. It will provide up to €10,000 per business premises per month, with payments made by the end of the year.
The scheme to aid enterprises hit by soaring energy bills was announced last September as part of Budget 2023.
The scheme recognised the challenges being faced by small and medium businesses, the Minister said. When asked if the scheme would be extended if businesses continue to face difficulties, Mr Donohoe said the impact of the scheme would be examined but that Government needed to be confident that any scheme was affordable and sustainable.
On increased road tolls, due on January 1st, Mr Donohoe said the Government would have to consider the consequences and “evaluate carefully” the increases.
When asked if he was “in the Varadkar corner”, that tolls should be deferred or reduced, the Minister replied: “Of course I’m in the Varadkar corner, but we need to look at how it could be done and what the broader consequences might be.”
The Minister will meet residents of East Wall shortly to discuss their concerns with the accommodating of families from Ukraine in the ESB building.
It had been a “great honour” to represent the community, Mr Donohoe said, but some of the language and claims being used made him uncomfortable. This was a charged environment that was being made more difficult by a small group of people, he said.
“We are in an extraordinary situation,” he said, adding services were under severe strain and Ireland needed to play its role.
The ESB facility would continue its role, Mr Donohoe said, adding that if the centre was shut the issue would just move to another community. “Centres like this will be needed for some time.”
