Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)

Rip-off Ireland is alive and well. I have seen incredible figures that energy prices in Ireland are three times the wholesale price, which is one of the highest gaps in the world. The gap between the retail price and the cost of producing it is again one of the biggest in the world. Electricity companies are failing to pass on savings they are making, and why would they? The ESB is a semi-State, it delivers Government policy, it is one of the biggest players in the market and it is profiteering as well. This is a dysfunctional market. It is the Government’s market and the Government is responsible for it. In response to another TD, the Taoiseach mentioned the €190 million energy support fund, which he said is being paid out. Just €3.9 million of that €190 million has been paid out. That is outrageous. The Taoiseach mentioned earlier that the electricity price is tied to the price of gas. Again, that is the Government's legislation.

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