Govt announces eight measures to combat rising costs amid Middle East war

The government on Thursday announced a €200 million package of eight measures which it hopes will help combat rising costs after four weeks of war in the Middle East.

Firstly, the reduced five-per-cent rate of value added tax on electricity will be extended until May next year, having initially been expected to expire in May this year, while the fuel consumption tax will be reduced by 8.33 cents per litre between April and June.

The rate of VAT on meat, poultry and fish will be zeroed between April and September...