Dublin North East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

New Electricity Levy will punish families and cost jobs

Published: 10 August, 2010

"The decision by the government to introduce this new levy at a time of unprecedented hardship for households and businesses is simply ludicrous. This will punish already struggling families and will heap further pressure on small and medium businesses who have to deal with already crippling costs and a lack of credit.

"I would seriously question the need for this levy given that the ESB only recently reported profits of €500 million. At the very least the government should delay its introduction. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and further highlights how clueless this government is when it comes to turning our economy around.

"Only recently we heard absurd calls from Brian Cowen and Dermot Ahern asking people to spend their money, despite the fact that people are barely surviving as it is. This extra cost on households will only add to the pressures families are already enduring."