Call to “get energy costs under control”

By Dan Walsh

Sinn Féin TD for the Wicklow-Wexford Constituency, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin has called on the Government to support Sinn Féin’s proposals to end the rip-off and get energy costs under control.

Speaking in Dáil Éireann as Sinn Féin published a motion to put an end to Ireland’s rip-off energy costs, Deputy Ó Súilleabháin hit out at Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for their decades of inaction and failure to take on energy companies.

Teachta Ó Súillebháin also called for local support. “I am calling on Malcom Byrne TD and Brian Brennan TD to step up to the plate and adopt Sinn Féin’s proposals, and support struggling households in Wicklow- Wexford and across the rest of the country,” he said.

“It is time to hold energy companies to account, protect ordinary people and end the rip-off for good, said Teachta Ó Súileabhain, who added; “Over the last few weeks, Energia, Flogas, Bord Gáis Energy and SSE Airtricity have all announced double-digit increases in the cost of energy. This is another body blow to households already crippled with the cost of living. 

He continued; “Workers and families in my constituency of Wicklow- Wexford and across the country are being hammered with soaring prices at every turn. Now they are being forced to fork out hundreds of additional euros on their bills.

“Ireland already has the highest electricity prices in Europe. At a time when the cost of living has never been higher, it is unbelievable that government would choose to make this worse.

“It is not right that ordinary households face a disproportionate burden while large energy users are not expected to pay their fair share,” said Teachta Ó Súilleabhain, who added; “We would also provide the investment needed so that not only is the renewable transition expanded and accelerated, but we would also ensure that public ownership is prioritised.”