Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland

25/05/2026

Own-account operators are eligible to apply under the new Road Transporters Support Scheme. This is an important recognition of the essential role fuel merchants and delivery operators play in supporting homes, businesses and rural communities across Ireland.

We encourage eligible members to review the scheme details and assess how the support may assist their operations over the coming months.

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18/05/2026

The Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025, when passed, will introduce stronger enforcement powers against illegal fuel sellers.

✔ Stronger inspections
✔ On-the-spot fines
✔ Greater accountability
✔ Fairer competition for compliant retailers

For too long, legitimate businesses have been undercut by illegal operators. Stronger enforcement helps protect compliant merchants and consumers alike.


Darragh O'Brien TD

21/04/2026

Pleased to see recognition at Second Stage of the Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill in the Dáil late last week of the real pressure facing compliant solid fuel retailers.

Legitimate, law-abiding businesses are being undercut by illegal operators — an issue our members are dealing with daily across the country.

We look forward to continuing constructive engagement with Ministers, TDs, Senators and officials to ensure fair enforcement and a level playing field for all through the swift passage of this bill.

14/04/2026

We welcome the decision to delay the carbon tax increase until October — providing much-needed relief for customers at a time of global uncertainty. 🌎

The Government’s package also includes:

✅️ Excise reductions on petrol and diesel

✅️ Reduced costs for marked gas oil (green diesel)

✅️ Targeted supports for transport operators

✅️ A €100 million support scheme for agriculture and fisheries

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland is committed to engaging constructively with Government on targeted supports for compliant fuel retailers.

We look forward to working with officials in the coming weeks to deliver fair, practical solutions for our sector and the communities we serve.

01/04/2026

🚨 Time for Action on Illegal Fuel Trade

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland is calling for the establishment of a Joint Fuel Enforcement Taskforce to protect consumers, public health, and compliant businesses.

Why this matters:

🔴 Illegal, high-sulphur fuels are undermining air quality and climate progress
💸 Up to €77 million in lost tax revenue due to smuggling
⚖️ 100% of compliant merchants report being undercut by illegal operators

What we’re calling for:

🤝 A multi-agency taskforce: Revenue | Local Authorities | An Garda Síochána
🔍 Coordinated inspections, intelligence sharing, and enforcement
🚫 Stronger on-the-spot powers to tackle illegal operators
✅ A level playing field for compliant, tax-paying businesses

The message is clear:
👉 Enforcement isn’t working — and we are all paying the price.

We stand ready to work with Government to deliver real solutions. The link to our proposal is in the comments section.

30/03/2026

Prices are already rising – up 3.6% in the past year – and households now face another hit.

From 1st May, the carbon tax on solid fuels will increase again, adding further pressure to home heating costs.

This comes at a time when over half of Irish households rely on solid fuels for heating

A fair transition is essential – but timing matters. ⏰️

The CSO estimates consumer prices in Ireland rose by 3.6% in the 12 months up to March 2026.

30/03/2026

Today’s decision shows Government recognises the need to step in where markets are under pressure. The same approach must now be applied to Ireland’s solid fuel sector, where illegal, untaxed and high-emission products are undermining both environmental policy and compliant Irish businesses.

EU agriculture ministers meeting in Brussels are being briefed by the European Commission on the possible measures to reduce the cost of fertiliser.

27/03/2026

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI) has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the Fuel Allowance by four weeks, providing an additional €152 to approximately 470,000 households, but has warned that serious concerns remain around where that money will ultimately be spent.

The representative body for solid fuel merchants said the measure will provide short-term relief to vulnerable households, but risks being undermined by ongoing price volatility and a lack of enforcement in the solid fuel market.

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI) has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the Fuel Allowance by four weeks, providing an additional €152 to approximately 470,000 households, but has warned that serious concerns remain around where that money will ultimately be spent.

23/03/2026

88.2% of fuel merchants report little to no meaningful enforcement in their area.🛑

Not one respondent reported frequent enforcement.

This isn’t a gap. It’s a vacuum.

Illegal and non-compliant fuels continue to:
• Undercut legitimate businesses
• Undermine air quality progress
• Cost the Exchequer millions

It’s time for coordinated, visible enforcement.
A Joint Fuel Enforcement Taskforce is now essential.

19/03/2026

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI) has warned that households across rural Ireland will face further increases in heating costs as the carbon tax on solid fuels rises again from 1 May 2026.

The increase will see the carbon tax applied to a 40kg bag of coal rise from €7.60 to €8.51, meaning a greater portion of the cost of heating homes will go directly to the Exchequer.




Darragh O'Brien TD | Simon Harris TD | Micheál Martin | Fine Gael | Green Party Ireland | Labour Party | Independent Ireland | Social Democrats | Sinn Féin Ireland

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI) has today warned that households across rural Ireland will face further increases in heating costs as the carbon tax on solid fuels rises again from 1 May 2026.