Clarke urges Government TDs to back Sinn Féin's energy costs plan
Sorca Clarke, the Sinn Féin TD for Longford Westmeath, has called on Government TDs in the constituency to confirm if they will back the party's plan to cut energy costs when it comes before the Dáil later today (Wednesday).
A Sinn Féin motion, which the party says would cut electricity bills to the prices they were in 2021, is expected to be debated by TDs this evening.
"Energy bills are sky-rocketing and families are worried sick about paying their bills. Prices are going up and up, yet the Government is failing to act," said Deputy Clarke.
"Today, the Dáil will debate Sinn Féin’s plan to help hard-pressed workers and families. We would cut energy costs and ensure that people get a much-needed break from spiralling bills.
"People can't wait; they need help and they need it now. Our plan would deliver urgent help to families here in Longford and Westmeath. TDs in our constituency, Peter Burke, Robert Troy and Joe Flaherty, must come out and say if they will back our plan and ensure workers and families get a much-needed break from these costs.
"People are deeply anxious about meeting these costs and they need certainty now. They need to know if their TDs will stand up for them and back Sinn Féin's plan tomorrow.
"Our plan would cut electricity bills to the prices they were in 2021. This would drastically lower bills and ensure that they remain affordable for workers and families on ordinary incomes," she continued.
"Our plan also outlines the need for a windfall tax, so that businesses that are making obscene profits from this crisis are forced to give some of this back into families' pockets. This is about fairness and ensuring ordinary people aren’t paying the price for this crisis.
"Sinn Féin's plan would deliver other key supports, including introducing cash payments to help low and middle income households with their other energy bills. Our plan includes making a double child benefit payment for every child in recognition that households with children tend to spend more on energy bills.
"These are all important steps which could be introduced quickly to make a real difference to hard-pressed workers and families who are worried about how they will pay their bills. People need reassurance now that they will be able to afford their bills.
"I am calling on all TDs across Longford and Westmeath to back Sinn Féin’s plan to cut energy costs when we bring it before the Dáil today," she concluded.