Consumers and businesses need a credible plan to keep the lights on this winter

Climate Minister Eamon Ryan’s strategy to prevent blackouts this winter amounts to nothing more than a wing and a prayer, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.

“At a time when the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRU) has warned that energy usage at peak times must be slashed to prevent blackouts this winter, Climate Minister Eamon Ryan has his head in the sand.

“During an interview on RTE’s News At One, it became clear that the Minister’s strategy to prevent blackouts this winter amounts to nothing more than a wing and a prayer. Emergency generation capacity, that had been promised, will not now be available until next year.

“What consumers and businesses need now is a credible plan to keep the lights on this winter. When will Minster Ryan deliver than plan?

“While the CRU is ringing alarm bells, and warning that our security of energy supply is critically jeopardised, senior ministers have been shooting the messenger – instead of taking responsibility for their failure to do anything to mitigate this crisis.

“Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggested Ireland’s energy supply crisis had come as a shock to him – despite Eirgrid issuing warnings since as far back as 2017.

“This government have been asleep at the wheel when it comes to our energy security. It is time for them to wake up – before we are all plunged into darkness this winter.”

24 August, 2022

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