Mattie McGrath Questions ISEM as Bills Keep Rising
Mattie McGrath challenged the Taoiseach in the chamber about the Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM) and the rising charges he says have followed its introduction. He demanded clarity on who runs ISEM, its staff and accountability, while highlighting the impact on businesses and families.
McGrath addressed the Taoiseach directly about ISEM and referenced a specific business that experienced a large increase in its bill after the market changes.
Questions of accountability: McGrath pressed for basic facts - what ISEM is, who operates it, whether it has officers and staff - and described it as another charge that many households and small businesses cannot afford. He criticised the lack of clarity when he first raised the issue in 2021 and said the situation has only deteriorated since.
Cost of living context: McGrath placed the debate about electricity charges within broader cost-of-living pressures. He cited the impact of the war in Iran on global oil supplies and prices, and warned of the potential economic consequences for the year ahead.
Government response and relief measures: The Taoiseach acknowledged the pressures on families and noted a 750 million package announced to help alleviate them. McGrath reiterated his request for details on the bill and the company involved, pressing for transparency on how the integrated market is managed.
McGrath addressed the Taoiseach directly about ISEM and referenced a specific business that experienced a large increase in its bill after the market changes.
Questions of accountability: McGrath pressed for basic facts - what ISEM is, who operates it, whether it has officers and staff - and described it as another charge that many households and small businesses cannot afford. He criticised the lack of clarity when he first raised the issue in 2021 and said the situation has only deteriorated since.
Cost of living context: McGrath placed the debate about electricity charges within broader cost-of-living pressures. He cited the impact of the war in Iran on global oil supplies and prices, and warned of the potential economic consequences for the year ahead.
Government response and relief measures: The Taoiseach acknowledged the pressures on families and noted a 750 million package announced to help alleviate them. McGrath reiterated his request for details on the bill and the company involved, pressing for transparency on how the integrated market is managed.
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Transcript
Welcome to students and teachers from Cláiste Ní Fhneascaigh in Caer and Miss McGranagh and Miss Hickey today in the chamber. Taoiseach, in 2021 I asked you a question here about a new business chance that we've put in called Integrated Single Electricity Market, ISEM. You told me you didn't know what it was, what it is. At that time I had a bill from a very excellent businessman who was working today for a huge increase in his bill. Have you found out what it is? They're supposed to be looking after the integrated market north and south, but charges and prices have only gone up ever since this introduction of this new body. What are they a body? Are they the officers? Have they staff? Who are they? What are they? It's another charge that people, businesses can't afford. At that time you had a small cost of business loan or grant, 250 million, that's now gone. Prices are going up incrementally every day ever since, ever before the war now in Iran. So this is another quango, as I can see. You didn't know then what it was. I hope you know now, you were tarnished then. Taoiseach, I hope you checked out what ISEM are, who are they? Taoiseach will never respond. First of all, I accept fully that there are cost of living pressures on families and on people, arising significantly now from the war in Iran, which has resulted in 20% contraction in oil supplies and a dramatic escalation in oil prices, which is very worrying in terms of its potential impact on the world economy for the rest of the year. And hopefully that war can end as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we have announced, as you know, a 750 million package trying to alleviate the pressures on families. I'll have to get a look at the bill because I didn't quite catch the name of the company.