'Staggering' ESB profits and CEO pay rise 'an insult to struggling Mayo households and businesses'

A Mayo TD has criticised the ESB for their staggering after-tax profits of €377 million in the first six months of 2026, up 20% on the same period last year, while households and businesses in Mayo struggle to keep the lights on.

Sinn Féin Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh said: "It is absolutely staggering that ESB has recorded €377 million in after-tax profits in just six months while families, pensioners and people on fixed incomes across Mayo are struggling to keep the lights on, heat their homes and put food on the table.

“At the same time, the government has sanctioned an unprecedented 29% pay increase of almost €92,000 for ESB's CEO, bringing his annual salary to €410,000.

"How can this possibly be justified to the record number of households in arrears on electricity bills?

“The same minister who approved this CEO pay increase is responsible for public sector pay negotiations that are currently at a crisis point, with industrial action imminent.

"Nurses, doctors and teachers fighting for a pay agreement that protects their living standards will not be offered anything remotely close to pay increases of 29%.

"The ESB is state-owned. The government cannot continue to stand idly by while ordinary households and businesses in Mayo are pushed to breaking point by energy costs.

“They need affordable energy and meaningful relief from the cost-of-living crisis. As we approach the shorter days and the cold winter months, profits of this level at the ESB cannot be allowed to continue at their expense."