Sir, – Cliff Taylor rightly highlights how the upcoming budget is unlikely to offer any reprieve from the ongoing energy crisis (“There is a landmine posing a big danger to next month’s budget”, Opinion. September 12th).
Indeed, we should be concerned. In addition to the recent public transport fare hikes, our joint Minister for Climate, Energy and Transport Darragh O’Brien seems determined to defend and support data centres with fossil fuel price cuts as they siphon 23 per cent of our energy supply – 2.5 times more than any other European country.
The price of crude oil remains high while the “new norm” of €2 litre pump price of diesel comes with “temporary” measures of fossil fuel subsidies, a pause on carbon tax increases, and excise duty cuts applied. In short, our Government is patching over our fossil dependency problem with paper and spit – while the 2026 Climate Action Plan is yet to be published.
The risk of transport and fuel poverty, and the health issues this entails, is extremely grave. Climate action is a public health and energy sovereignty measure. Health is the cost of inaction. Our Government must stop sending the bill for their incompetence to the general public. – Yours, etc,
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ORLAGH GAYNOR,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
