Taoiseach accused of 'gutless' response to rising energy prices

Micheál Martin defended the Government's record on the cost of living during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the opposition is 'choosing to ignore' measures the Government has brought in, including the €755m fuel scheme. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

The Taoiseach has defended the Government's record on the cost of living as the opposition hit out what it said was a "gutless" response to rising energy prices.

During Wednesday's session of Leaders' Questions, opposition leaders called on Micheál Martin to intervene as new figures from a market research firm suggest that households are spending €2,000 a year extra for basics like energy and food.

In her contribution, Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald said that Irish people pay the most in Europe for energy, but "as prices go through the roof, the Government leaves people in desperate situations: Stress, worry, cutting back, going without, working hard but still struggling for the basics and the Government has the resources to act".

She said that the projected budget surplus "provides room to help but the Government's message to the working people of Ireland is to struggle on, make do and wait for next year's budget as the bills pile up".

"This is not just a bad political choice; this is, in fact, a dereliction of the Taoiseach's duty to the people who keep this country going."

'Harebrained' nuclear energy idea 

Labour's Ivana Bacik said the Government had failed to deliver offshore wind and was now focusing on a "harebrained" debate around nuclear energy.

"In Ireland, we are still at best four years away from delivering any offshore wind energy. That delay is due to a lack of Government ambition and Government focus. 

"It is deeply regrettable because, unlike nuclear, wind power offers feasible, scalable projects. 

"Other countries have led the way on renewables — take Spain, a European leader: More than half of Spanish electricity is generated from renewables."

Protection from 'future energy shocks'

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns told the Dáil that many people live with a "constant dread" about bills and the Government needed to implement energy supports immediately.

"We need emergency supports today and solutions for tomorrow to protect households from future energy shocks. 

"In the context of these rising energy costs, [the Taoiseach] understands there is an energy crisis, he understands that we have energy costs that are 40% higher than the European average, and he understands how much people are struggling. 

"How does he expect people to wait until October?"

Opposition 'choosing to ignore' Government measures

In response, Mr Martin said that the opposition is "choosing to ignore" measures the Government has brought in including a €755m fuel scheme announced last month.

"That is immediate, and that is happening. If it was not, their costs would be significantly higher. We have also provided packages for the transport sector that are worth about €40m per month. 

"There is a €100m worth of a fuel scheme for farmers, contractors, and fishers. Of course, the diesel rebate increased to 12c per litre.

"We expanded the fuel allowance and increased it to €38 per week. We expanded eligibility and brought in more to the working family payment; about 470,000 households benefited from that."

• Paul Hosford, Acting Political Editor