In
an interview with The Irish Sun, Ryan said energy prices had
unexpectedly dropped in the past few weeks due to a relatively warm winter
across Europe and stronger gas supplies across the continent. The TD said
prices may continue to drop in the coming weeks, which should prove a relief to
hard-pressed Irish households.
The
minister told the newspaper that gas prices, which skyrocketed globally after
the Russian invasion of Ukraine, were used as a “weapon of war” by Russian
leader Vladimir Putin to undermine Europeans’ support for the Ukrainian cause.
Ryan said that the combination of a warm November and the citizens of Europe
reducing their gas use helped to thwart this.
Regarding
the €200 energy subsidies given to Irish households this winter, Ryan said that
they will not continue into the summer months but may return next winter should
energy costs rise again. Nevertheless, he insisted that the government will
have a plan in place in the event that prices do increase again.