Deputy Michael Healy Rae said earlier this year that he was ashamed to admit that he was selling imported briquettes in his shop in Kilgarvan.
And yesterday, The Irish Times reported that hundreds of tons of what we knew for years as Moss Peat, Peat Moss or just plain old turf dust, was shipped into Ireland from as far away as Latvia a 3,000k journey – see the link to the story below.
A Tough Winter on Families
Now Deputy Healy Rae is warning the government that the constant rise in inflation is going to make it a tough winter for many families who are just floating above the poverty line.
He said that so many elderly people will not be able to afford to pay the recent price increases in electricity and gas imposed by Energia.
“Last week Energia announced a third hike this year which will see electricity customers pay 15.7% more on their bill – a figure that will translate into an increase of around €223 on the average annual bill,” said Deputy Healy Rae.
Prices Up from October 18th
While Gas prices will rise by 18.5%, or an average of €187 a year while dual fuel customers will pay 16.7% more.
“The changes will take effect from October 18th and will impact around 160,000 electricity customers and 60,000 gas customers.
“With many people still struggling to come to terms with a loss of earnings and in some cases a loss of employment, it will be a tough winter for many.
Increases Driven by Inflation
“The government ministers needs to be very conscious of this while preparing their budget. Further increases driven by inflation will make things far too expensive in comparison with the money coming into households,” said Deputy Healy Rae.
See The Irish Times article on Ireland’s importation of peat products from Latvia for the growing of vegetables – which will, in turn, rise the price of the produce.
Click on the link here: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/ireland-starts-importing-peat-following-wind-up-of-domestic-production-1.4679135
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