Dáil debates

Thursday, 15 September 2022

Security of Electricity Supply: Motion [Private Members]

 

5:15 pm

Photo of Mairead FarrellMairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is dócha nach gcaithim é a rá mar go dtuigeann gach uile dhuine sa seomra go bhfuil an t-uafás brú ar theaghlaigh agus ar ghnólachtaí. Tabharfaidh mé cúpla sampla don Aire mar gheall air sin. Bhí mé ag caint le gnólacht áitiúil i mo cheantar féin atá ar cheann de na hoileáin atá ann. Léirigh sé dom go bhfuil sé ag úsáid phainéil ghréine agus go bhfuil an fuinneamh ar fad atá ag teastáil uaidh á fáil aige ó na painéil sin. Léirigh sé freisin dom go bhfuil cuid dó sin ag dul ar ais chuig an grid ach is é an rud atá á rá aige ná nach bhfuil an ceantar áitiúil in ann tairbhe a bhaint as sin. Níl an ceantar ag feiceáil an bhuntáiste sin. Is rud fíorthábhachtach é sin a gcaithfimid breathnú air. Táimid ar fad inár gcónaí i gceantair. Tá comharsana ann agus ba chóir go mbeadh an tairbhe sin ann.

As well as that, I have been speaking to some of the local businesses in my own area. I am talking about micro-businesses that are employing people in my area. They have all been saying that their electricity bills have increased by thousands of euro. This is not something new for this Chamber. We are all acutely aware of those difficulties that households and businesses are facing. Of the thousands of euro these businesses have seen in increases, many of them are saying that they have no certainty in relation to what is to happen over the coming months.

To be honest, I have asked people directly because it is important for us to hear exactly what people are thinking and exactly what people feel would help them. One of those micro-businesses suggested to me that we make it easier for those micro-businesses, which do not have much money to spare, to get their own solar panels. There is two examples. One of them is the ceann ar an oileán a bhfuil sé acu cheana féin agus an ceann nach bhfuil sé acu go fóill.

I have been contacted by a pensioner in Galway city who has just got a letter through her door from her landlord and who has been advised that her bills for heating and electricity will increase by 25%. She said that it is completely and utterly outrageous, and that there is no extra money for her at this moment in time. Therefore, we need to see that in the budget. What is extremely heartbreaking is a pensioner contacting me and asking what charities can she contact to get help. We need to see action from this Government. We need to see action to help those people, such as that pensioner, and make sure they can get through this winter.

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