Minister rules out price caps on energy charges
A NEW survey indicates the public is ‘split down the middle’ over raising social welfare in the Budget.
The latest Taxback.com Pre-Budget 2023 Taxpayer Sentiment Survey, which examined the public’s Budget 2023 “wishlist”, reveals that 51 per cent of the 1,500 respondents would not support substantial increases to social welfare payments in line with inflation, while 49 per cent would support increases.
THE Environment Minister has ruled out introducing price caps on energy charges this winter.
Eamon Ryan accused Sinn Fein of “following a Tory Government approach”, adding that the approach was not the right one.
He also said that people will not have to go without light and heat this winter.
The Green Party leader made the remarks in the Dail in response to Donegal TD Pearse Doherty calling on the Government to cut electricity prices to pre-crisis levels to help families with rising energy costs.
Mr Doherty said people across the country were afraid because they do not know what is “coming down the road”.
He said: “It’s easy to see why people are afraid. It’s so simple.
Fear
“Just look at what they’re facing: rents are going up, food is going up, energy going up and the fear is especially real when it comes to the extortionate electricty bills that households face.”
Mr Doherty added that people were
“absolutely outraged” when they see the “scandalous hikes” in standing charges by “big profiteering energy companies”. In response, Mr Ryan said he did not believe Sinn Fein’s plan was the right one.
“It is very similar to what the Tory party are looking to do,” Mr Ryan said.
“In fact, Jacob Rees-Mogg this morning set out pretty much the same policy for Northern Ireland. “You’re following a Tory government approach.
“I don’t agree with it,” Mr Ryan told the opposition TD.