Donegal Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn have called on the two government TDs in Donegal, Minister Charlie McConalogue and Deputy Joe McHugh, to confirm if they will back the party’s plan to cut energy costs.
Sinn Féin’s motion to cut electricity bills to the prices they were in 2021 will be debated by TDs this evening.
Teachta Doherty said the plan would significantly lower bills and ensure that they remain affordable for workers and families on ordinary incomes.
He added: “Sinn Féin’s plan also outlines the need for a windfall tax, so that businesses that are making obscene profits from this crisis are forced to give some of this back into families’ pockets. This is about fairness and ensuring ordinary people aren’t paying the price for this crisis.
“Our plan would deliver other vital supports, including introducing cash payments to help low and middle income households with their other energy bills. Our plan includes making a double child benefit payment for every child. This is a recognition that households with children tend to spend more on energy bills.
“These are all vital steps that could be introduced quickly to make a real difference to hard-pressed workers and families who are worried about how they will pay their bills.”
Deputies Doherty and Mac Lochlainn are calling on all Donegal TDs to back the emergency measures.
Teachta Mac Lochlainn added: “People can’t wait; they need help and they need it now. Our plan would deliver urgent help to families here in Donegal. Tomorrow, the Dáil will debate Sinn Féin’s plan to help hard-pressed workers and families.
“Minister Charlie McConalogue and Deputy Joe McHugh must come out and say if they will back our plan and ensure workers and families get a much-needed break from spiralling bills.”
“People are deeply anxious about meeting these costs and they need assurances now. They need to know if their TDs will stand up for them and back Sinn Féin’s plan tomorrow.”
