Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said the best way for people to bring down their energy bills is to switch to renewable energy.
Minister Ryan also indicated that further measures may be announced in Budget 2023 to help people with rising energy costs.
It comes as it emerged that Irish households are paying €250 more for their electricity every year compared to the EU average.
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Speaking on Tuesday, Minister Ryan said “We’ve done more than any other Government the last nine months to try and address those price hikes which are caused by high fossil fuel prices due to international factors.
“The best way for us to bring the bills down is to switch to renewables, switch to our own fuel so we’re not held to ransom by the Russian Government or anyone else.
“In the meantime, we’re working with social partners to look at the Budget and see what we can do there and that’s the appropriate time and appropriate place for us to take further measures.”
Reports have outlined that electricity prices in Ireland are 26% above the EU average and we are the fourth most expensive in the EU after Germany, Denmark and Belgium.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party is calling for a rise in the minimum wage to meet the soaring cost of living facing households.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik will bring the bill for debate in the Dáil on Wednesday.
She said: “Workers are having to cope with an unprecedented spike in the cost of living, a spike that is affecting every household, individual, family and community across Ireland.
“The costs of fuel, rent, housing, food, childcare and basic services are rising. Even the price of basic items like bread and milk are rising.
“All of us are hearing daily from constituents who are feeling a real squeeze and whose incomes are no longer enough to meet the rising cost of living that they face.”
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