Drogheda North Fine Gael Representative, Kevin Callan has said the ESB is trying to hoodwink local consumers with its announcement of a €300m 'contribution' to offset electricity price rises."Media reports have confirmed that the ESB has asked the energy regulator to approve electricity price rises of a massive 30%.
The effect of today's announcement will be that the ESB is now 'only' looking for an increase of 21%-22% - price increases that Irish homeowners and businesses simply cannot afford in the current economic environment (and which alone would increase the rate of consumer price inflation by 0.35%). "This is clearly part of a negotiating strategy by the ESB to get the Energy Regulator to approve a massive price hike, and then have local consumers thank them for it."Fine Gael has, for several months, highlighted the €1.5 billion in windfall profits available to the ESB and other power generators from the Government's free allocation of carbon emission allowances over the coming years."Instead of asking the ESB for 'voluntary contributions', Fine Gael has said it would legislate to remove this windfall from the ESB and other power companies, and use the proceeds to finance a 1% cut in VAT. This is only way to make sure consumers don't get ripped off."Ends
Contact Kevin directly on: 087 777 6648
Contact Kevin directly on: 087 777 6648
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