Kildare TD demands action over 'rip off electricity prices'

Sinn Féin TD Réada Cronin has called on the government to protect the North Kildare community from rip-off energy prices by giving the Regulator (CRU) the powers it needs to act in customers’ best interest. She said the public needs urgent transparency in energy costs and price, especially when wholesale costs are at a two-year low.  

Deputy Cronin said: “Research commissioned by Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Energy, Darren O’Rourke TD,  shows the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) lacks the powers it needs to protect customers from unfair and unaffordable energy costs. This is negligent and unacceptable given so many people are struggling to meet their worrying energy bills and there is not the required transparency around wholesale cost and customer price.”

“Energy costs are sky high. All over North Kildare people are afraid to open their bills. They need a break from rip-off energy costs and they need it now. In Ireland, we pay the highest electricity prices in the EU, adding almost €1,000 to the average annual bill, at a time when wholesale energy prices are at a two-year low.

“The report just published shows that Ireland has a very light touch Regulator, unlike other European countries where customers are better protected from unfair costs. Instead of acting to cut energy prices, the government and the Regulator are commenting on price hikes. This is not acceptable when people are really struggling with the cost of light and heat which are not luxuries in life.”

“We need market transparency and accountability around energy costs and bills because people here in North Kildare have had enough of struggling now on the essentials. Sinn Féin want to give the Irish regulator real power so they can step in, look after the customer and monitor and tackle any anti-competitive behaviour. The CRU should be specifically mandated to monitor and regulate hedging practice.”

“We also want the CRU to have an expanded role in consumer protection and an increased role in energy poverty monitoring and response – including through the oversight of an expanded Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme.

“Equally, the CRU should publish, on a monthly basis, the average price of natural gas and electricity supply and the average margin received by natural gas and electricity suppliers. This would ensure people can monitor costs. The people need this and deserve nothing less.

“Sinn Féin has repeatedly raised the alarm on rip-off energy bills but still the government refuses to act. They’re in power too long and asleep at the wheel.”

“We are calling on the government to make sure the CRU is given the necessary power to act for the customer immediately. It is a matter of political will and making the needs of the customer and community a priority. The people of North Kildare deserve no less. ”