Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach can argue with the OECD about the facts on whether incomes are falling. Incomes are falling, and that is what it is saying. The question to be asked is why the Government has allowed the highest electricity prices in Europe to exist in this State. Why is it that the Government has allowed some of the highest gas prices in the whole European Union to exist in this State? Why does Mr. Gerry Clarke, 77, from Meath, have an electricity bill of €1,700? Why does Kitty from Trim, who is 100 years old, have an electricity bill of more than a grand? These are the questions the Government needs to ask. The fact that its Bill on a windfall tax is still at general-scheme stage is incredible. People cannot eat a general scheme.

Some people believe it is incompetence and some believe it is by design. There is a lot of good argument for incompetence. Just look at housing and health for examples of that, but I believe there is an ideological reason prices are so high here. It is in the Green Party's interests to have high electricity and energy prices because high energy prices actually reduce consumption. It is its policy to look for high energy prices. I think the Green Party tail is wagging the Government dog on this issue and, as a result, many families throughout the country are literally unable to live. When will the Bill on the windfall tax be in place?

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