Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have tabled this motion because workers and families need action on the cost-of-living crisis now. The Government’s proposal was half-hearted yet again and it did not go far enough. Everyone needs to be protected from disconnections for the cold winter we are facing. Sinn Féin wants this ban on disconnections to happen immediately and to run until March.

People cannot wait. People are already at the pin of their collar trying to afford rents and food, and that is before their energy bills arrive. Families struggled to afford their last energy bills, most of which did not include the most recent shameful hikes that energy providers were allowed to add on. When the next round of energy bills start to arrive with these disgraceful increases, people will be left wondering how the hell they will pay them.

A disconnection ban from December will be too little, too late to support these people. We have a solution, which is to bring in an immediate ban for everybody now. However, yet again, the Government is dragging its heels. Its disconnection ban will do nothing to help the ordinary, hard-working families that I represent because it will be too late. Its disconnection ban will do little to support people on pre-pay meters, who will be disconnected once their €20 emergency credit runs out. People on pre-pay meters will be disconnected by default.

Nobody chooses to go without electricity and heat in depth of winter. People need to heat their homes, boil their kettles, cook their food and keep lights on while their children do their homework. The Government’s half-hearted attempt at banning disconnections will not work because it will be far too late. The Minister needs to take action now.

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