Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As we approach the winter, we are facing into the worst cost-of-living crisis that we can remember for generations. Europeans are facing into a winter of record energy prices, but in Ireland people are contending with energy cost increases on top of what was already an unmanageable cost of living. We have extortionate rents, childcare costs that are equivalent to a second mortgage, and mortgage increases. That is just to mention a few. Energy is only the latest crisis that people in Ireland have to contend with. People were already on the brink, but this winter they are going to be pushed over the edge.

The Government's response to this crisis has been disgraceful and slow. It has failed to accelerate the development of our own renewable energy resources, which is key to ensuring energy affordability, sustainability and security. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, opposed reform of the wholesale electricity market in October 2021, which would have helped reduce energy costs. The building of new data centres was encouraged all the way, despite repeated warnings about their effect on our energy sustainability and security. On top of all this, the Minister continues to increase carbon taxes. It has been said repeatedly over recent months that people will not be able to heat their homes this winter. People will have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family. It is a crisis situation. The Minister seems to value the protection of the market above everything else, including his own people. His dithering and inaction are going to have serious consequences for ordinary people.

Over the summer, Bord Gáis announced that operating profits rose by 74% in the first part of this year. Frankly, that is disgusting given the current situation. Our Private Members' motion has outlined the measures that we would introduce. If we follow the Government plan and offer only energy credits without capping prices, those credits could be next to worthless if energy companies keep hiking up their prices. It is two weeks to the budget and, like other colleagues, I am asking the Minister to wake up and deal with this crisis in a meaningful way. He should implement our proposals for the sake of workers and families across the State.

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