80. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on the outcome of his recent meeting with our largest energy companies, on 26 September 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59711/25]

Sentiment score: 0.17

Will the Minister report on the outcome of his recent meetings with the largest energy companies in September and make a statement on the matter?

Sentiment score: 0.30

We are all aware that electricity prices are crushing many families across the country at the moment. They are so high. We have among the highest electricity prices in Europe. Recently we were told by the International Energy Agency that our retail prices are three times higher than our wholesale prices. The savings the energy companies are making on wholesale energy are not being passed through to customers. We are seeing continual rises from the companies of between €120 to €220 on average bills, and that is despite their own costs going down. There is a question as to whether these companies are gouging customers. Indeed, the Government's interim report, the affordability report, made a recommendation that the CRU investigate price gouging by these companies. Did the Minister speak to these companies about price gouging and about them actually reducing their prices, not helping people pay their extortionate prices but reducing the prices for ordinary families across the country?

Sentiment score: 0.04

In 2020, the average electricity bill was €976. It is currently €1,877. There is no way that is justifiable, even considering the special circumstances that Ireland faces and considering what happened in Ukraine. People are paying twice what they were paying five years ago and, as I said, the price that the companies are paying for wholesale energy is going down. It is now 75% lower than in 2022. Those savings should be passed on to customers and those companies are not doing it. It has been recommended by the Government's own affordability agency that the energy regulator conduct an investigation into price gouging by those energy companies. Will the Minister direct the energy regulator to put in place that investigation into price gouging by those large retailers and the energy companies?

Sentiment score: 0.15