Mayo TD says Government must respond to price gouging with immediate supports
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Enterprise Tourism and Employment Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has strongly condemned the sharp rise in fuel and energy prices following escalations in the Middle East conflict, and has called on the government to intervene with immediate energy supports.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said businesses across the State are now facing insurmountable costs, as oil and fuel prices surge yet again, and despite acknowledging that customers are being exploited, the government has sat on its hands and refused to do anything to tackle the energy rip-off and price gouging.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said:
“The conflict in the Middle East is deeply concerning on many levels, but what we are now seeing at the pumps and with regards to energy prices, goes far beyond normal market fluctuation.
“Even before the current escalations began last weekend, we already had the highest energy prices in Europe and Sinn Féin were calling for the reversal of the most recent carbon tax increases and cancellation of all future increases.
“Our SMEs and business owners were already struggling with the cost of doing business and cannot absorb endless increases in oil and fuel prices.
“At the Enterprise Committee yesterday I urged Minister Burke to introduce temporary immediate supports for businesses to remain viable while their energy costs surge. I also queried whether the CCPC has the powers to fully investigate this blatant price gouging and implement genuine enforcement measures.”
Teachta Conway-Walsh said action is needed now for businesses and households.
“The Government must liaise with hauliers and representatives from energy intensive industries to listen to their concerns and put immediate supports in place, like the reintroduction of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme. They also need to actively engage with fuel suppliers to ensure transparency in pricing.
“We need action now for businesses and households, which is why Sinn Féin spokesperson on Energy, the Environment, Climate and Transport, Pa Daly TD, has today introduced two pieces of legislation that, if adopted, would mark a decisive step in ending Ireland’s ongoing energy rip-off.
“The Government cannot stand on the sidelines observing while energy companies exploit international instability to drive up prices. Doing nothing for businesses in the midst of this major global economic shock, where no end can be predicted, is not an option.”