Labour calls for urgent action from Government today to address energy cost crisis
Labour calls for urgent action from Government today to address energy cost crisis - The Labour Party
Speaking today following the announcement late last night that a two week ceasefire had been agreed by the United States and Iran, the Leader of the Labour Party Ivana Bacik TD said there was now a need for a comprehensive plan of action from Government to address the escalating crisis caused by rising energy costs.
Deputy Bacik said:
“It is welcome to see President Trump and the Iranian regime pulling back from the brink with the announcement of a two week ceasefire late last night. It was appalling to see the use of highly inflammatory and indeed genocidal rhetoric by President Trump in his recent postings on social media, and the widespread killings of civilians in the region being committed by the US, Israel, Iran and Hezbollah must be condemned outright.
“We all hope for a sustainable peace agreement to be developed now that will ensure an end to the destruction of civilian life and infrastructure across the Middle East.”
On the energy crisis, Deputy Bacik said:
“This ceasefire now offers time also to address the escalating cost of energy worldwide and its impact on deepening the cost of living crisis here in Ireland as a result of the launching by Israel and the US of this illegal war on Iran.
“As we see protestors across Ireland bringing cities and towns to a standstill with calls for a reduction in fuel prices, we need an urgent and comprehensive response from Government as higher costs are being faced by all sectors and households.
“Since the crisis erupted, Labour have consistently proposed constructive ways for Government to respond.
“We have called for the use of maximum price orders, these should be tied to the actual costs of home heating oil and other fuels to suppliers. It is clear that significant price gouging happened in the days immediately after the start of the Iran war.
“Ireland keeps up to 90 days of oil in the National Oil Reserves Agency and is a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA). A co-ordinated release of reserves took place in March and previously in 2022.
“Similar action should be taken again to stabilise markets, and efforts made to address diesel supply constraints that is leading to price surges and impacting on specific transport sectors.
“As Labour have also consistently said, employers should be encouraged to allow those who can work from home to do so, saving on commuter costs and reducing climate emissions. We have also called on the Government to intervene to lower or remove public transport fares.
“Finally, we in Labour appreciate the deep distress and frustration experienced by hauliers, contractors and all those now causing blockades and traffic disruptions across the country in a campaign to bring fuel prices down, and we recognise their right to peaceful protest, but we would urge protestors to end their blockades immediately as these are causing significant disruption to workers and families, many tens of thousands of whom are already in energy arrears and huge financial difficulties with a cost of living crisis.
“Further, we urge the Government to intervene and to meet with the relevant representative bodies. Today’s unscheduled press conference by the Taoiseach and Tanaiste has offered little clarity on any coherent plan of action from Government on addressing the massive public concern arising from the Iran war and the resulting cost of energy crisis.”