Government and regulator failing to ensure best deal for energy customers – Pa Daly TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Climate, Environment and Energy, Pa Daly TD, has slammed the government and the energy regulator for the failure to mandate suppliers to introduce measures which have the potential to reduce both emissions and prices. Despite being legislated for since 2022, hard-pressed workers and families are still waiting to see the benefits of dynamic tariffs.

The Kerry TD was commenting on the recently announced decision to delay the deadline for energy suppliers to introduce dynamic tariffs.

Teachta Daly said:

“Once again the government and the regulator are prepared to let energy companies run roughshod over consumers.

“Dynamic electricity price tariffs are present when the price for electricity varies throughout the day and the price changes reflect the wholesale market price.

“With this real-time pricing, a customer can see the price of a half-hour using electricity meaning that they will better be able to take advantage of low demand and excess renewable energy on the grid.

“Significantly, this can be used to reduce household bills – especially when using electricity intensive appliances such as a washing machine, oven or dishwasher.

“It’s also good for reducing emissions as people can more easily track just how much electricity they are using.

“The legislation which entitles customers to enter intodynamic price contracts since 2022, these tariffs are still not available on the market.

“To add insult to injury, the deadline for energy suppliers to introduce them was delayed from October 2025 to June 2026.

“This is yet another example in a long list of times the government was prepared to kick the can down the road.

“Instead of ramping up efforts to reduce energy costs for already hard pressed workers and households, the government and the regular continue to prioritise the corporate balance sheet.”