Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We can see by the number of motions on energy prices and energy security in recent months that this is very much an issue affecting the vast majority of our constituents. This morning, we have yet another motion on energy prices. It highlights the cost that households are paying but also the lack of action by the Government as well as the market structure that links gas prices with the price of electricity, not to mention the profits being made by energy companies and the lack of windfall tax. For more than a year, Sinn Féin has called on the Government to decouple the price of gas from electricity prices. We can produce electricity from wind and solar at a relatively low price. The current system means that electricity is sold at the same rate as gas-generated electricity. This is ridiculous and makes no sense. We have seen the usual Government flip-flopping on the matter. It has swung from vigorous opposition to it to thinking it was a bad idea to kind of half supporting it. That is not good enough. Sinn Féin has repeatedly raised this matter with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. Reform is needed. It will make a difference in people's pockets. Why does the Government sit on its hands? Why has it prioritised the profits of energy companies over the interests of ordinary people, workers, families and, in particular, our older people? It is for the same reason that it has refused to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies that are profiteering from the war in Ukraine and the current crisis relating to energy prices. The EU has agreed a way forward and the Government must act immediately. Because of the nature of the market it could take months for the price reductions to be passed on to customers. We need to strengthen the powers of the energy regulator, particularly around standing charges. What we really need is a Government that actually cares how its policies affect workers and families. Sinn Féin will continue to hold this Government to account until we get the chance to be in office.

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