Call for probe into failure of energy companies to pass on lower prices to consumers 

A new survey suggests that almost all consumers (96%) have seen a rise in their energy bills in the last four to six months.

An examination should be undertaken as to why energy companies haven’t passed on lower wholesale prices to hard-pressed households, and there should be “full and transparent visibility” on such firms’ hedging operations, an Oireachtas committee has recommended.

Examining the Government’s plans to impose a windfall tax on energy companies, the Oireachtas Environment Committee said legislation needs to make clearer which parts of society will benefit from such taxes as “it is essential that these are directed to those who are most vulnerable”.