Cllr Emmet Doyle: Executive Needs Plan on Energy Prices

Aontú Cllr for Derry and Foyle Assembly candidate Emmet Doyle has slammed the Executive over their lack of planning to assist those dealing with historically high energy bills

Cllr Doyle said:

"Yesterday Council received a briefing at my request from the Utility Regulator on the high price of gas and electricity. I asked the Regulator if he had been involved with the Department for Communities in planning what kind of support will be needed for people in the long term after he told us that these price hikes could go on for 36 months.

It was clear that the Executive are playing catch up with this crisis. The Regulator was clear that a strategy was needed to address this crisis rather than throwing pots of money at it sporadically.

The Communities Minister provided an extra £55m recently simply because of the backlash from the public. People deserve to see a roadmap from the Executive parties as to how they will be supported during this crisis."

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.