A Clare Government Senator is slamming what he’s describing as the ‘unacceptable’ stance on current high prices from energy providers.
It comes as the Finance Minister has admitted a fifth energy credit is not being ruled out for later in the year.
It’s understood the Government is considering putting a levy on state-owned energy companies that make profits that are above a ‘normal’ range.
Wholesale gas prices have been reducing steadily for a number of months.
While slight reductions have been passed on by Electric Ireland to business customers in recent times, they haven’t been granted to householders.
Mountshannon-based Fianna Fail Senator Timmy Dooley believes pressure from Government ministers, along with the incoming windfall tax, will lead to domestic prices reducing in the near future.
The Finance Minister says a new energy credit will be considered as part of Budget 2024 proposals.
The 200 euro credit is applied to domestic electricity bills, and an additional payment was not included in the latest cost of living package.
Minister Michael McGrath says they wanted to focus on targeted measures this time around.
This is a stance that Clare’s Green Party Senator is in agreement with.
However, Roisin Garvey says those on social welfare and those working on low incomes need to be kept in mind when further targeted measures are introduced.
The Inagh-based representative believes an energy credit being brought in next winter, rather than in May, makes the most sense.
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