Call for action ahead of winter price hikes
Opposition TDs today called on the Government to beef up the National Consumer Agency to stave off a potential 10% hike in the price of everyday goods over the winter.
The cost of electricity is set to rise along with gas, but the warning from AIB economist John Beggs that inflation will also hit basic items hard is seen as a major worry for families.
The constant rise in the cost of fuel and housing is being blamed for having a knock-on effect.
But Phil Hogan, Fine Gael Carlow-Kilkenny TD, called on Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin to intervene.
“The prediction by AIB economist John Beggs that the price of essential items will increase by 10% towards the end of this year, and that general inflation will reach 5%, will send shivers down the spine of households across the country,” he said.
“With prices rising this fast we are facing into a winter of household discontent.”
Fine Gael accused the minister of having a laissez-faire attitude to consumer rights claiming he is yet to publish the heads of a bill to establish a tough National Consumer Agency.
“We need the immediate implementation of the National Consumer Agency Bill and a declaration by the minister that he will strengthen the original remit of the Agency in order to give essential support to consumers,” Mr Hogan said.
He vowed to support the Bill in order to give the watchdog the teeth it needs by allowing it to,
:: Conduct regular price surveys and name and shame those charging excessive prices.
:: Create a price league websites on all major products
:: Impose fines for non-display of price lists in petrol stations, pubs, hairdressers and restaurants up to a maximum of €3,000.
:: Appoint a representative of the Consumers’ Association to the Agency.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party urged Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to sit down with the UK government over fears North Sea gas supplies are ever-decreasing while energy demands are soaring.
Despite two new pipelines being built the British authorities feel they have been cancelled out as resources are used up.
Tommy Broughan, Labour Party spokesman on energy, said gas prices would rise by 34% this winter but there was a risk they could go up again.
“We are almost entirely dependent on imported natural gas that is sourced from the UK, especially for the generation of electricity,” Mr Broughan said.
“These worrying price and supply developments in the British gas market have serious implications for Ireland’s energy sector and our economy in general."
