Workers squeezed while Government props up failing energy model
Workers squeezed while Government props up failing energy model - The Labour Party
- Government’s consistent reliance on short-term band aid solutions highlights lack of vision
- Labour calls for energy credits, cheaper public transport, investment in renewables and remote work supports to cut costs
Labour’s Climate and Energy spokesperson Ciarán Ahern TD has today criticised the Government’s lack of urgency in building us renewable energy infrastructure, warning that continued dependence on fossil fuels will deepen Ireland’s exposure to volatile global markets and drive up costs for households.
Deputy Ahern said that at a time when workers and families are struggling with some of the highest energy bills in Europe, Government is choosing short-term fixes over long-term solutions, calling for urgent investment in renewables and targeted supports to bring down costs.
Deputy Ahern said:
“This Government is consistently throwing money at problems in the short term instead of fixing the root causes.
“We saw reports today that energy prices in Ireland have been the highest in Europe due to our heavy exposure to international gas prices, as the ESRI has said. At a time when households and workers across Ireland are being hammered by soaring energy costs, Government is failing to give ordinary workers the support they desperately need.
“Instead of fixing a broken system, they are relying on short-term fossil fuel subsidies without any strategic plan to reduce our dependence on oil and gas.
“The continued dominance of harmful fossil fuels in our energy system is leaving families exposed every time there is an international shock, like the one we are seeing now.
“Ireland remains dangerously exposed to global price swings and the consequences are clear. Energy bills are spiralling, arrears are rising, and more and more people are being pushed to the brink.
“The level of debt on energy accounts shows just how severe and persistent this cost of living crisis has become. Families cannot keep absorbing these shocks while Government refuses to act.
“There are practical choices that Government could be making right now to reduce pressure on households and build a more secure energy system. We need targeted energy credits to bring down skyrocketing bills and provide immediate relief. We need cheaper and more accessible public transport so people can get to work without the added financial stress of commuting. We need a real right to remote and flexible work so people can cut down on commuting costs and reduce transport congestion.
“Most crucially, we need serious and strategic investment in solar energy including plug-in solar panels, in wind energy and in other renewables so that we can lower long-term costs and reduce our dependence on expensive imports.
“This Government has a choice. It can continue to build fossil fuel infrastructure, encourage fossil fuel use in our daily lives and then throw money at oligarchs when price shocks arise – and they will continue to arise.
“Or the Government can take decisive action to fix the system and protect workers and households from future shocks. It must change course now, invest in renewables, support working people and finally break Ireland’s dependence on volatile fossil fuels.”