Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)

For many people, the energy price crisis reflects a Government paralysed by inertia that is only now slowly turning away from the madness of the Green Party era when the tail wagged the dog and energy independence in the form of LNG or oil and gas exploration was considered almost a heresy. I acknowledge that things are turning in the right direction and the storage facility will now proceed but the problem is that it will take years. We should be self-sufficient for energy. I have always said that here. Many mistakes were made and the closure of the Shannonbridge power station was one of the huge mistakes made.

On electricity prices, many people, particularly elderly people, are struggling, as are small businesses. Many small businesses have closed and I have been made aware of that happening in my constituency in Offaly. I ask that the energy companies be called out; for an end to their profiteering; and for a message to go out from the Government that they need to respect people and be fair with prices. Ireland has some of the highest prices in Europe.

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