Planned increases to fuel excise cuts set to be delayed

The Government is set to stall planned increases to excise cuts due to kick in at the start of next month. A statement from Government buildings is due shortly, but it is understood that agreement has been struck to delay the increases amid growing pressure.Five sources with knowledge of discussions said a recall of the Dáil is likely to give effect to the decision, with next Friday targeted as the sitting date.The exact details of what is to be decided have yet to be confirmed. It comes after Coalition backbenchers began to pressure the Government to extend the excise cuts - as did the Opposition.There had also been a shift in tone from senior Government figures in recent days, with Minister for Finance and Tánaiste Simon Harris telling his backbenchers that all options were on the table,