Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What is the appetite in Europe to regulate the standing charges that appear on utility bills? Will the windfall solidarity tax bring down the cost of energy for the 2.1 million domestic electricity customers in Ireland or is it just another tax? Deputy Flaherty referred to mobile wind turbines. It states on Electric Ireland bills that 64% of the electricity is from renewable energy, yet the costs are going up and Government Deputies are talking about mobile wind turbines. If people go for paperless billing - which is a good idea - Electric Ireland will give them a percentage off. That means it is built into the bill. The energy providers say that those who pay by direct debit will pay less. If a person pays on time, the provider gives the person money off. That means it is all built into the original bill. If the energy providers can take those charges off, that means they are built into the bill. That is €30 or €40 on bills that could be done away with straightaway because it is an excessive charge. The Government had control over the fuel taxes but it did nothing about it. It is taking 50% in taxes on fuel. Excise charges, VAT and everything else add up to 50% on petrol and 44% on diesel. Now the Government is coming along saying it is going to do something for the ESB with a token. Do not be a joke. It is an absolute joke.

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