Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Electricity and energy prices continue to financially cripple families and businesses throughout this State. This is happening despite a quantifiable drop in natural gas prices, which determine electricity costs. Electricity companies have not acted. I acknowledge that the Government has provided some measures to families to help cushion the blow. However, given that the Government is a 96% shareholder in the ESB, it is unacceptable that it continues to charge extremely high prices. Will the Government bring in the senior management of the electricity companies and demand they reduce their prices? Families are suffering and businesses are closing. The Tánaiste mentioned the windfall tax proposal. If the tax is introduced, it needs to be expedited. I would like a timeframe as to when it will be put in place.

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