Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this People Before Profit-Solidarity Private Members' motion on the very important issue of energy prices. The figures set out in the motion speak for themselves. Without action on the part of the Government, many people face a very difficult winter in just keeping their lights on and staying warm. Some 400,000 households in this State experience fuel poverty. It is estimated that 10% of income goes on heating. Ireland, North and South, has the highest excess winter mortality rates at 2,800 cold-related deaths. Most at risk are those on low incomes, the unemployed, single people living alone, lone parents, pensioners and that cohort includes a large number of children.

This is partly an international problem. There is a shortage of natural gas. We had a lack of wind in the summer. We had a harsh winter last year and a cold snap in April. There has been a reduction in production internationally. Russia is applying pressure to open the new pipeline into the EU, which is a matter for another debate. Russia is looking for that project to be ratified and for the pipeline to be opened soon. We are still dependent on gas because 50% of our power plants are gas-fired.

The figures are astounding. Electric Ireland has announced another increase over the past three months. Energia has increased its prices three times in the past year. Pinergy and Panda Power have increased their prices four times and, according to Bonkers.ie, the increases introduced by some companies will lead to people's annual bills rising by up to €800. That is a lot of money, approximately €15 a week out of people's income. There is a considerable differential in price. Instead of asking people to shop around and switch suppliers, the Government should do a number of things. I agree with the motion that the Government should introduce a price cap. It should introduce that cap in general but particularly for the winter.

The deregulation of our energy companies has caused a major problem. I welcome the comments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth. We should fully renationalise the ESB, which should be a not-for-profit State company. We should retrofit 160,000 public houses. I know a young woman who has been waiting for two years for the council to retrofit her home, which is in desperate need of it. We need to build 100,000 eco-friendly public houses on public land over the next period of time.

The Government is trying to downplay the role that data centres are having on our energy supply. If up to 23%, and possibly more, of our energy will be used by data centres by 2030, that 23% is taken off the national grid and 23% less electricity going into people's homes. The Government must either increase the energy available to compensate for that loss or impose a moratorium on data centres until we delve deeply into what the issues are and how they are impacting on our energy supply. We could have people paying huge price increases on their energy and, at the same time, getting their electricity cut off during the winter.

I am supportive of the point that the fuel allowance should be increased, as per the motion, up to €15 a week. I also support the increase of the means test for eligibility for the fuel allowance from €100 a week above the State contributory pension to €200 a week above the State contributory pension. I also support extended cover. Those on the jobseeker's allowance, illness benefit and disability allowances do not get the fuel allowance. Only 380,000 households get the fuel allowance. Many people in poverty are not getting the benefit and support of the Government fuel allowance. That should be implemented immediately.

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