If Fianna Fáil TDs think things are difficult now, they should brace themselves for what might be coming their way.

It was a week of spectacular windiness across Government. Faced with unprecedented protests, the Coalition scrambled to its default manoeuvre – trying to spend its way out of difficulty. On Sunday, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris announced a half-billion euro giveaway, on top of the existing package of €250 million. This will get us – maybe – to the end of July. Can you see the Government putting up the price of fuel then? Can you see the Government putting up carbon taxes in the budget? Or at the end of the year? Me neither. The Coalition has just made a multibillion euro decision, completely on the hoof.

Following that announcement, the Dáil saw the usual exhibition of roaring and shouting. Meanwhile, out in the big bad world, the US began blockading the Strait of Hormuz. The International Monetary Fund warned the global outlook had “abruptly darkened”. The conflict could still cause a global “energy crisis on an unprecedented scale”, it said. Analysts spoke about potential fuel shortages.

With the warning lights flashing red you might think the Government would be preparing for leaner economic times. If so, there is little sign of it. I hear lots of worried chat on the topic from politicians and officials. But not much action.

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