Householders under intense pressure with energy costs as regulator deemed ‘not fit for purpose'

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Three separate motions before the December meeting of Sligo County Council addressed the issue of energy costs with calls made to ensure there are no further electricity price rises and to consider reintroducing the energy credits that had been in place in recent winters.

Cllr Arthur Gibbons’ motion called for urgent action to be taken “to prevent any further electricity price hikes.” Addressing the Council Chamber, Cllr Gibbons said, “It is an absolute disgrace, it is not something the government were not aware of. We’re paying the highest prices for electricity in Europe.”

Cllr Gibbons stated, “The regulator is not fit for purpose,” adding, “The amount of profit oil companies are making is phenomenal. 308,000 people are in debt on their electricity bills at the moment.”

Cllr Gibbons said it was of little consolation to people to be told their “Electricity won’t be cut off but the debt is mounting and mounting.

"The government needs to take action and step in. It is unfair to be asking people to pay exorbitant prices. I’d like to see the cabinet step into the shoes and spend Christmas living on the same means.”

In her motion before the monthly meeting, Cllr Marie Casserly asked, “Given the fact that Irish wholesale electricity prices have decreased significantly, dropping over 75% from their 2022 peak, can all relevant stakeholders and the Department be questioned as to why consumers are not seeing the reduction in electricity bills?”

Addressing the meeting, Cllr Casserly said, “I meet families every week who are struggling. Families deserve transparency and fairness.”

Cllr Michael Clarke also tabled a motion in relation to the cost of energy and the impact it is having. Cllr Clarke’s motion called on “Sligo County Council to write to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin to reconsider the government’s position on energy credits for so many families that are in food and heat poverty.”

Pointing to a “150% jump in grocery bills” and “Electricity bills that are out of touch for so many,” Cllr Clarke said he is hearing first hand the impact the cost of living crisis is having.

"People are contacting me at their wits end. I never witnessed anything like their testimony. People working seven days a week are still facing difficulty. It is a disgrace for this government to stand over such a policy.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.