Energy price crisis reflects government policies paralysed by inertia

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has called on government to escalate the delivery of the Energy Affordability Action Plan report of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce following confirmation from the International Energy Agency (IEA) that Ireland has the highest electricity prices in Europe and one of the highest gaps between what it costs to produce energy in this country and what it is sold for.

Deputy Nolan said she had submitted parliamentary questions on the work of the Taskforce in early September, following which the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien confirmed to her that Taskforce members were working to finalise the preparation of an interim report for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process, in advance of further analysis and the publication of the Energy Affordability Action Plan:

“The evidence is now overwhelming that Irish consumers are being squeezed of every last cent when to comes to energy prices and this is having a devastating effect across the entire economy,” said Nolan.

“I find it extraordinary that the government only saw fit to establish the National Energy Affordability Taskforce in June when it has known for years of the need to identify a comprehensive range of solutions enabling households and businesses to avail of low cost energy. “

“There is an urgent need to address the structural reforms that are necessary within the energy sector to lower costs for households and businesses and there is an immediate need to haul in the energy suppliers to force accountability upon them for the scandalous prices that people are being asked to pay,” concluded Deputy Nolan.