Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have had much discussion about Irish Water and debates on wind farms and renewable energy in the House. One issue connects both, which is that end users, who are ordinary people, are constantly being saddled with extra and unnecessary expense in order to cushion various vested interests. Whether it is to do with the preservation of excessive jobs in Irish Water, the payment of unimaginable bonuses or unnecessary extra costs paid to consultants and contractors, ordinary people are expected to pick up the tab constantly. We see it with electricity also, and I ask the Deputy Leader to organise a debate on electricity prices in the context of the 50% increase in the public service obligation, or PSO, charge brought about by the Commissioner for Energy Regulation, which is to be levied on every electricity bill. Despite the fact that wholesale energy prices have fallen internationally due to cheap coal, lower oil prices and increased extraction of shale gas, struggling Irish families are being hit with an annual hike in the PSO from €48.62 to €73.06, including VAT, from 1 October. We must have a debate about what the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is calling a regressive tax that will place an extra financial burden on vulnerable people. It comes on top of a multitude of increased costs. The PSO is in effect a green tax on electricity, the proceeds of which will be used to subsidise wind farm operators who receive €94 million a year in compensation to keep them in business as the price of energy falls. We must look at how unprepared we have been as a country and at how our Governments have failed to plan adequately for the transfer from fossil fuels to renewable energy. I ask for a debate on the issue. It looks likely that Poland will veto resolutions on carbon reductions at EU level.