Taoiseach in bid to save energy as costs soar
PUNTERS URGED TO HEAT UP IN LOCAL BOOZER
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has revealed he’s “switching the lights off ” much more often in a bid to save energy as the cost of living crisis continues to spiral out of control.
Households across the nation are feeling the pinch as providers have significantly hiked prices ahead of the winter.
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships yesterday, the Fianna Fail leader told The Star: “Every individual can take measures to save energy.
Smart
“We’re not getting into the business of individuals prescribing what they do themselves in their own home but demand and energy reduction is possible, it’s doable.
“We’re switching off the lights much more often, in the office as well. Very simple things can be done to reduce overall energy use and consumption.”
While Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he would be making use of his smart meter this winter to keep energy consumption levels down.
He said he would advocate the use of smart meters this season.
PUNTERS are being urged to warm themselves in their local bar this winter as publicans fear 40 per cent of pub-goers could stay at home to save money as energy bills soar.
The Star revealed this week how fourin-10 regular bar drinkers told a survey that they will reduce their nights out amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Some pub bosses fear a “ferocious winter” for their businesses and have responded to the poll by reminding us that it was not long ago when we could not gather in pubs at all. Tipperary publican TJ McInerney yesterday vowed that “doom and gloom can’t win”. TJ McInerney, of TJ Mac’s bar in Mullinahone, pledged to help punters absorb energy costs by turning up the heat.
Bills
He said: “I definitely want to see my regulars whenever they can. They can come in here and use TJ’s central heating to help them save money on their energy bills.”
He added: “It can’t be all doom and gloom. We can’t let it. It wasn’t long ago that we weren’t allowed to be in the pub together at all.”
Former VFI president Gerry Mellett, of the Ardattin Inn at Ardattin in Co Carlow, said: “I’m afraid it’s inevitable that people are going to stay away and that some pubs will close and not open again.
“The leisure industry used to say that people could spend 90c out of every Euro in a pub, but that was down to 30c last year, and it’s around 10c now.
“As well as pubs closing, I can see cafes and restaurants shutting as well.”
Cork publican Michael O’Donovan, who is the city’s Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) chairperson, said: “We had meetings last week about the predictions that 40 per cent of people might stay away.
“Publicans said that it is not happening yet, but we are concerned about it.
“Energy costs and the increased prices for things is the main topic of conversation over the counter.”
The Castle Inn owner added: “People have less to spend and no costs are coming down, but a lot are going up.”
Current VFI president Paul Moynihan of family pub Moynihan’s in Donard, Co Wicklow, said: “This is a very worrying survey.
“It is the culmination of our own costs going up and the public’s expenses going the wrong way.
“Our staff and their families are affected and we see rural pubs affected quicker than the cities for reduced footfall.
“It is very tough and it is very worrying. We are going to have to try to ride out the storm.”