Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing this matter to the floor of the Dáil because it is very important. The Government has to accept that since it closed down Lanesborough and Shannonbridge power stations in the middle of the country, electricity has increased every whole day. As the cost of generating electricity had gone up so much, we were all resigned to the fact that we would have to pay more, but what do we find? Electricity companies are doubling and tripling their profits. There is no account of the energy regulator, or the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who is in charge of the energy regulator. There is no account of anyone. The people are being blackguarded and the Government does not mind because it is taking more tax and VAT from the exorbitant bills people receive. Perhaps Europe will let us introduce a windfall tax or whatever, but the Government is only codding or trying to cod the people. The electricity companies are doubling and tripling their profits and the Government will do nothing about it and there is no account of the energy regulator.

Today, home heating oil costs €1.50 per litre. How are poor people going to heat their houses while the Minister is trying to stop people from cutting turf? There is no doubt about it that he would blackguard the people if he could get away with it, but many people cut their turf and I am glad tonight - it is a bad night - that they are looking into their fires at home in Kerry.

Diesel is over €2.05 per litre and the Government will do nothing about it. The price of a barrel of oil is less today than it was four years ago, but where are the profits going? They are going into the Government's coffers. The people are being blackguarded and there is no account of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, demanding anything of the energy regulator.

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