Inflation shot up this month due to the surge in energy prices resulting from the war in the Middle East. The flash estimate for the harmonised index of consumer prices (HIPC) rose by 1.8pc between February and March, the CSO said. CSO statisticians said energy prices jumped by 11pc in March, and were up by 12.3pc in the year to March. “These increases in energy prices may have been influenced by recent events in the Middle East. Motor fuel and heating oil prices have rocketed as a result of the Middle East conflict.

Source: Irish Independent March 30, 2026 14:52 UTC