Danny Healy-Rae: Warns of Winter Energy Outages and Soaring Costs

Danny Healy-Rae addressed the Dáil on 29 September 2021 about rising energy costs and the risk of electricity outages, urging action to protect households. He warned that carbon tax and other charges are driving up bills for electricity, diesel, petrol and heat oil and said people will struggle to keep warm this winter.

Main warnings

Healy-Rae told colleagues the country faces possible outages and soaring costs, saying recent government statements on supply have been contradictory. He cited a minister who earlier said there was no problem with energy supply, and who then acknowledged potential trouble for the next four or five years and the possibility of outages.

Household cost pressures

He warned that electricity prices are up by 19% and highlighted carbon tax and multiple charges as contributors to unaffordable bills. He argued that many people "won't be able to pay for electricity and for energy and to keep themselves warm this winter," stressing immediate financial pressure on households.

Criticism of government policy

He was critical of the government's move towards electrification - electric cars and electrified systems - while pointing to a lack of charging points and insufficient electricity generation. He said this gap undermines confidence in the government's energy strategy and in the leader of the Greens.

Power stations and jobs

Healy-Rae criticised closures of generation capacity, saying that the shutdown of Borna Mona and Money Point left the State exposed. He said the minister later reinstated Money Point workers who had been made redundant, arguing the reversal was evidence of a misjudged policy.

Infrastructure and wider risks

He warned that if the lights go out around the country there would be serious consequences for critical infrastructure such as data centers. He appealed for practical measures to ensure supply and protect citizens from outages and high energy costs.