Dáil debates

Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Rising Costs and Supply Security for Fuel and Energy: Motion [Private Members]

 

10:52 am

Photo of Claire KerraneClaire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all know people are struggling to make ends meets in regard to energy costs. Energy prices continue to soar, further carbon tax increases are anticipated and households are struggling like never before in some instances. A major study by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul earlier this year found that nearly 20% of working people cut back on fuel and electricity due to costs. As my colleagues said, this year alone there have been more than 35 different price increase announcements from energy suppliers in Ireland. There have been increases to diesel and petrol prices at levels never before seen by many of us. The budget was limited in what it did to help people with energy costs. It was in regard to the fuel allowance which, as we all know, is extremely limited. There was a slight increase in eligibility but the fact remains that the budget did nothing for the vast majority of workers and families who will struggle this winter.

I refer to the mad situation whereby we are importing peat at rates never before seen. Some 40,000 tonnes were imported in the first seven months of this year alone. Will the Government tell the workers who were let go, almost overnight, from plants in Shannonbridge and Lanesborough, many of whom have not had their jobs replaced, why the situation exists where we are importing peat, from thousands of kilometres away, to this State rather than transporting it down the road, as was the case, from bogs in the midlands? This is a laughable situation but it is not laughable for the workers whose livelihoods have been taken from them while we import peat.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.