Ireland 'heading towards a war economy' - Taoiseach

Ireland is heading toward being in "a war economy”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated.

Ongoing events in the Ukraine will drive up the cost of food and many other everyday items, he told The Sunday Independent.

And he did not rule out the possibility of shortages of some food items.

Speaking in London where he attending the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland, Mr. Martin said: “I think Europe is capable of feeding itself.

"I think there will be a very significant issue around grain and it looks very likely Ukraine will not be planting this season.

"That has very serious repercussions across the continent, which will impact on Ireland.

"That’s why there have been discussions with Irish farming organisations.

“We have to be honest with people too — the war will have an impact.

"The precise nature of that impact is yet to be determined, but commodity prices are going through the roof, basically, that will feed into our economy and the big three areas at the moment are the fuel prices, food and general commodities around metals and so on.”

The newspaper revealed that ministers were warned in a confidential memo last week of possible shortages in natural gas and carbon dioxide used in food processing that could lead to rationing, which in turn could lead to a curtailment in food production.