Independent TD for Laois-Offaly, Carol Nolan. has said she welcomes the response of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to her in relation to energy prices.
Deputy Nolan suggested that the heads of the energy provider companies should be brought before the Oireachtas to explain why they are not passing on savings to customers as the wholesale price of gas and electricity reduces.
Deputy Nolan raised the matter with the Taoiseach in the Dáil, where she called on him to direct the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, to demand from energy companies their rationale for “continuing to fleece ordinary households, farming families and businesses.”
The Taoiseach responded by saying that he agreed with Deputy Nolan with respect to the role that must be played by energy companies.
Leo Varadkar said that he did not “buy into this argument that prices went up in months, but they can’t come down for years”.
“I want to acknowledge the comments made by the Taoiseach today and his agreement with me that Government must be willing to confront the energy providers on price reduction issues,” said Deputy Nolan.
“He has stated today that should the companies not pass on savings to customers, in the wake of the decision by Pinergy to offer a reduction of 7.1%, then he and Minister Ryan will be calling them in to have a conversation about this.”
“The energy providers have a legitimate interest in generating revenue.
“What they absolutely do not have however is a right to profiteer off the backs of ordinary people who are worried sick about their energy bills,” Deputy Nolan concluded.
SEE ALSO – All smiles as Laois shop sells winning All Cash Spectacular ticket worth €200,000
