Conor D McGuinness: Blames Govt for Soaring Household Energy Arrears
Conor D McGuinness warned that the energy transition cannot be balanced on the backs of working families and criticised the government for removing energy credits. He said Irish households face the third highest electricity prices in Europe and rising arrears, with over 300,000 households behind on bills.
Climate transition and household costs
McGuinness accepted the need for renewables, investment and serious action on climate change but argued the costs must not fall on working families. He insisted the transition should not be paid for by those least able to bear it.
Electricity prices and arrears figures
He highlighted that Irish families still pay the third highest household electricity prices in Europe. He cited official figures of over 300,000 households in arrears - 70,000 more than this time last year - and warned that when gas is included almost half a million households are behind on energy bills.
Removal of energy credits
McGuinness contrasted falling electricity prices elsewhere with the Irish experience and blamed the government’s decision to pull energy credits for worsening household pressures. He said many people are working flat out and still falling behind while the government appears to deny the scale of the problem.
Constituency impact and warning
He stressed that families in his constituency and others across the State are struggling and warned the situation, which was described using data from the start of winter, has likely worsened during January and early February. He addressed his remarks directly to Thiesha as he set out the figures.
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We all accept the transition that's needed in our energy system. We need renewables, we need investment, and we need to tackle climate change seriously. But we cannot balance climate ambition on the backs of working families. And most countries that are transitioning their energy production to renewable sources are now seeing decreases in the price of electricity. But then why aren't Irish families seeing that? Why are Irish families still paying the third highest household electricity prices in Europe? Why are there now over 300,000 households behind on their electricity bills? That is 70,000 more in arrears than this time last year, Thiesha. The difference is that the government has pulled the energy credits. People are working flat out and still falling behind. And this data is from the start of winter. Undoubtedly, things have become much, much worse during January and the first two weeks of February. When gas is counted, almost half a million households are in arrears, Thiesha. So while families are being hammered, this government seems to shrug its shoulders and play denial and say, no, we're not going into energy credits. We need to see it happen because families are struggling, my constituency and yours and many others across the state. Thank you, Thiesha. Thank you, Thiesha. Thank you, Thiesha. Thank you, Thiesha.
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