Energy and Fuel Costs: Motion [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-18
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Naoise Ó Muirí (FG), Dublin Bay North

What programme of activity would Sinn Féin cut to pay for these reductions? As the Opposition finance spokesman well knows, the estimated cost of reversing carbon tax increases in the past two years is well north of €300 million. That money directly funds energy upgrade works, schemes for those in or at risk of energy poverty, the fuel allowance, the working family payment and several other vital schemes. It is populist politics but poor policy-making. It is easy to make assertions like that from over there but government requires difficult decisions at times.
Ultimately, decarbonising our energy system is the best way to secure energy independence and reduce costs for families. That means clearing the decks for progress in offshore wind, like others have mentioned here, and as Deputy Heneghan said, clearing the decks for progress in long-duration battery storage in particular so that renewable energy can be held on this island and made available for when it is needed the most. I urge an tAire to make energy decarbonisation a non-negotiable priority for this Government.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:45+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-18