Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The situation with pass-through charges or, indeed, standing charges continuing to be charged to business customers by energy suppliers right throughout the pandemic is simply disgraceful. Some hospitality customers in my constituency have been charged up to €26,000 in pass-through charges alone by the energy suppliers. This is shocking money. They appreciate the support they got from Government but 40% of the support is going to pay these charges. Will the Tánaiste talk to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, who seems to be asleep at the wheel here on this, telling people he has no role in it? The Government must have a role in it. The Government is supporting businesses but 40% or 50% of the money is going back in standing charges. The Government closed the businesses by order. The Government is supporting them the best it can but the energy companies are laughing all the way to the bank. The only option for customers is stop their direct debits or cut off the supply themselves where they would incur massive charges to reconnect.

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