Government inaction on ‘highest energy bills in Europe’ slammed by Tipperary officials
Councillors in Tipperary have hit out at the Government’s “inaction” to address increasingly high energy bills for homes and families across the county as over 400,000 people are struggling to pay their bills each month.
Tipperary Sinn Féin councillors David Dunne and Annemarie Ryan have hit out that the Government has collected over €2.5billion in VAT from energy bills over the past five years.
In a statement to the Irish Independent, the Sinn Féin councillors said that Tipperary families were struggling to make ends meet with “some of the highest energy bills in Europe”.
Cllr David Dunne said that "families across Tipperary pay some of the highest energy bills in Europe. Due to Ireland having some of the highest cost of energy in Europe, we have seen on average half a billion euro being taken in VAT every year by the Government.
His party colleague Cllr Annemarie Ryan added that “440,000 households across the State are behind on their energy bills and they wonder when will the price increases stop.
"Workers and families can’t wait while this FF FG Ind Government sit on their hands during this cost-of-living crisis, we need a cost-of-living package that includes energy credits and an extension of VAT reductions,” Cllr Ryan said.
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"The enormous profits of these energy companies are taking precedent over the needs of struggling workers and families. We need to freeze these soaring energy prices,” Cllr Dunne added.
"Government inaction heaps more and more pressure onto households struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Households need to be supported, not hit with more costs,” Cllr Ryan concluded.