Independent TD for Cork South-West Michael Collins has strongly criticised the approach being adopted by Government with respect to energy costs and has reiterated his call for Government to explore a means through which it might implement a zero VAT policy on costs associated with the installation of solar panels and the purchase of insulation products.
Deputy Collins was speaking during a Dáil debate on the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023 which provides for a cap on market revenues for electricity generators and which is estimated to raise between €80 million and €150 million from electricity companies.
“I remain absolutely convinced that this Government has failed to grasp the massive level of economic damage that has arisen on the back of exorbitant energy costs,” said Deputy Collins.
“Every week I speak with café owners, pub landlords, small hotel owners and households in dire financial straits because of the bills they are receiving through the door.”
I speak with families who have installed so called ‘smart meters’ in an effort to reduce their costs but instead have seen them double and treble. I have talked to nursing home operators where the energy bills would send a shiver down your spine.”
“I talk to people who would like to retrofit but the costs are simply out of reach. We need an urgent reassessment of how we can reduce or cut those costs entirely.”
“So, forgive me if I am sceptical about the impact that a few measly cuts to energy bills from some suppliers is going to have. Of course, it is better than nothing, but we really need to see reductions on a much larger scale and at speed rather than the snail’s pace we have seen to date.”
“Part of the reason we have not seen fast enough action on that front is because the energy suppliers know we have a government who will bark and bark but who will rarely bite.”
“Contrast that with the chunk of tax being ripped out of consumers and businesses pockets in the form of the excise duty hike and the VAT hike for the hospitality and tourism sector. The Government clearly sees the Irish taxpayer as a soft touch.”
“That is a despicable, grasping policy and it must change,” concluded Deputy Collins.