Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues, especially Deputy O'Rourke, for bringing this motion to the floor. Affordable electricity is the main theme of this motion. Ireland has one of the highest prices of electricity per unit in Europe. Sinn Féin and other Opposition parties have raised this issue countless times on the floor of the Dáil and presented countless ideas and solutions, including a windfall tax, at a time when prices were at their peak and unscrupulous actors were exploiting the wars across the world, including the one in Ukraine, to line their pockets with huge profits and enhance their dividends. However, the Government’s approach was too slow. A far more effective windfall tax was needed when these profiteers were choking small rural pubs, family restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and small retailers to death. These once-vibrant little business faced overnight the doubling and trebling of their electricity bills and this caused many to close their doors. Some of them were in business for generations and at the heart and soul of both rural and urban communities.

Everyone knows the future of our energy security will rely heavily on wind energy. Ireland is in a very fortunate position to produce and supply wind-generated electricity to our domestic market and European neighbours. Some experts describe Ireland as the Saudi Arabia of wind. Unfortunately, we again see the lack of ambition to turn this vast natural resource into a source of national wealth for all. As the Minister knows, the window of opportunity closes in 2027. That is why it is vital to bring these renewable wind energy projects to fruition as soon as possible. Rosslare Europort is a prime example of this. The recent agreement between it, Ocean Winds and Bord na Móna is very welcome, but if the Government is serious about developing large-scale renewable offshore projects, it has no time to spare and must move quickly to recognise Rosslare Europort needs far more investment to protect our energy security for the people of Ireland and for their future.

We also asked the Minister to reflect on the electricity market regulatory practices to give the CRU the mandate to prioritise energy affordability to consumers. For instance, in August we have another hike in carbon tax that will inevitably lead to an increase in electricity bills for both domestic and commercial consumers. Another increase on the horizon is the public service obligation levy, which I understand will be increased substantially at the end of this year and into 2025. That will be another hiking of the already high cost of electricity bills. The opportunity is here now. We are calling on the Government to empower the CRU to protect consumers from the high electricity prices that are already two thirds higher than the European Union average. We call on all TDs to support this motion.

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