SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald quizzed Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil today about how he plans to help households with their “rip-off” energy bills. 

McDonald said winter energy bills this year will be a “body blow” for families. 

She pointed to a report carried in the Irish Independent today about how the International Energy Agency (IEA) has found that retail energy prices in Ireland are three times higher than wholesale prices – one of the highest gaps in the world.

The IEA report confirms that Ireland has the highest electricity prices in Europe due to the fact we have the largest gap between what it costs to produce energy and what consumers pay.

In response, the Taoiseach accused McDonald of going “herd-like” after “the latest headlines” and asked her why she was not “going after the companies” instead of the government. 

He said the fundamental factor affecting energy prices in Ireland was the price of gas and said Ireland has the eighth-highest electricity prices among the EU 27 when adjusted for purchasing power parity. 

He noted that the government has established a National Energy Affordability Taskforce to deal with the issue. 

Similar to Sinn Féin, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy also used his slot during Leaders’ Questions to ask the Taoiseach what the government will do to support people with their energy bills this winter.

Murphy asked him to introduce price controls and “reverse course” and reintroduce the energy credits.

“We will not be introducing price controls. They failed in the past and they would fail again,” the Taoiseach said in response.

On energy credits, he said he was surprised to see a “far-left” party advocate for universal measures.

He added that the one-off payments would not be sustainable to maintain and that universal energy tax credits, if introduced, would benefit the wealthiest in society. 

He argued that the government has attempted to target support to those most in need.