Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the government could mitigate this €250 annual price rise, as semi-state body Electric Ireland has a “profit buffer”.
Responding to today’s news Electric Ireland electricity prices are to rise by 8%, with gas going up by 7.7%, Tóibín said: “This company is making supernormal profits on behalf of the government and is rising prices on citizens, who – in increasing numbers – cannot afford to pay.”
“It is semi-state company that operates on the policy of the government of the land. It could mitigate this rise as Electric Ireland has a profit buffer of €650million a year.”
The new hikes amount to a standard €11.52 a month on electricity and €9.73 a month on gas.
Deputy Tóibín pointed out the announcement s comes the same day it was revealed data centre pressures on the grid has added an average €360 annually onto household bills.
“The Government is adding and allowing the additional pressure of data centres onto the system.
“Electricity prices are already the highest in Europe, which we found out earlier this month. We’re paying €480 a year more than others in Europe. Bills here are quite simply, shocking.
“It’s creeping up again now with these new price increases for customers, which come in in July. A total of 320,000 people are in energy arrears already as they cannot afford to pay.
The Meath West TD said Electric Ireland the retail division of ESB – made €650 in 2025 and Government should reduce its margin to zero.
“If you mandate the ESB to reduce its profit margin to zero, it would wash its face and have enough money for wages and infrastructure. You would save every domestic household €300 every year. That would be a significant help in insulating families from continuing increases in electric charges. This is a semi-state company that operates on the policy of the government of the land.”
