Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday my colleague Deputy Guirke raised the case of Kitty, who is from Trim in County Meath. I am sure the Tánaiste has heard her story. She is over 100 years old and received an electricity bill of almost €1,000 for the past two months. Like so many others, Kitty is being absolutely fleeced. Yesterday I received an email from a woman named Christina who works part-time. She earns approximately €250 week in the best of weeks. Her bill has increased and increased. She sent a message saying she could not cope and asked us please to help. She is being asked to pay €622 for the past two months. There are many other people such as Kitty and Christina.

Last month the Government made a decision not to provide any further meaningful supports with regard to energy costs. The energy that will be consumed next month and the month after will not be supported by the Government. Households are continuing to pay extortionate bills. They are being absolutely fleeced. They feel they are being short-changed by a Government that will not introduce the same type of certainty available in many countries throughout Europe.

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