Eamon Ryan should be fired if he continues to refuse to slash energy prices

The country simply can’t afford a high energy price agenda as part of a ‘green strategy’

Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan TD, should be removed from office by the Taoiseach if he continues to refuse to deal with energy prices, Fine Gael Energy Spokesman, Simon Coveney TD said.

Deputy Coveney was reacting to Minister Ryan’s proposals for a national plan to reduce energy usage.

“Reducing energy use is of course important but the highest priority for our Energy Minister at this time must be energy prices.

“The Minister won’t even acknowledge that there is a problem with high prices. Ireland is the most expensive EU country for electricity and in the top three for gas. It is not acceptable that our Minister for Energy is solely focusing on energy use and energy conservation, when there is a massive job to be done by him to reduce energy prices as well.

“The great weakness of this Minister is that his motivation is entirely coloured by climate change considerations when what is needed is a balance between competitiveness, affordability and environmental consideration. There are ways that Eamon Ryan can directly ensure that the cost of electricity and gas are reduced significantly in the short term yet he consistently refuses to even engage in the debate on prices.

“Companies are leaving Ireland and are directly citing energy costs as the reason for doing so. In his two years in office, I have never once heard Eamon Ryan say that energy costs are too expensive here. If he is incapable of concentrating on energy prices as part of a ‘green agenda’ at the same time as energy conservation, he should be removed from office by the Taoiseach. The country, our people and the economy can’t afford to have him there. It is as simple as that.

‘Significant energy price reductions should be a good news story for Ireland as international prices have fallen. The recent small electricity and gas price reductions are totally insufficient in response to changing international energy markets. I support the Minister’s efforts on energy conservation and reduced energy usage but his refusal to deal with energy prices is directly costing jobs and is imposing needless financial hardship on every household in the country. This must change or the Taoiseach should intervene and put a new Energy Minister in place.”