Shock claim that Kildare-based company is 'price gouging' on oil

A company based in County Kildare has been accused of engaging in oil price gouging.

The allegation was made by Sinn Féin TD Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, who represents Kildare South.

However, she did not name the company she was referring to in her allegation.

The Deputy's comments follow after a controversial jump in fuel prices occurred earlier this week due to recent conflicts in the Middle East.

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While speaking directly to An Taoiseach Michéal Martin (Fianna Fáil), Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said that it was "not good enough" for him to criticise alleged price gouging, "and then to do absolutely nothing about it".

The Kildare town-based rep told him: "Families in South Kildare are already feeling the effects of the US and Israel’s illegal war against Iran in their pockets, Taoiseach.

"It has been brought to my attention that one Kildare-based company raised their price for a fill of oil by €200 overnight.

"This is price gouging, pure and simple," she alleged. "Working families are at the pin of their collars and a disproportionate increase like this is the difference between heating the home or not."

She also asked An Taoiseach: "Can you tell me what your government is going to do to put manners on the companies profiteering on the backs of working families? And will you consider reversing regressive carbon taxes that will make it even more expensive for people to heat their homes going forward."

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FURTHER CRITICISM

Elaborating on her view, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh also criticised the Minister for Enterprise, Peter Burke (Fine Gael).

According to her, she said that it was "not good enough" for the Minister to meet with energy companies at the end of the week, especially as "families need support now".

In addition, she claimed that her party are "putting forward ideas to end the energy rip-off".

She said: "My colleague Pa Daly TD brought forward two pieces of legislation today to address affordability.

"Sinn Féin’s legislation would give the regulator the power to: tackle price gougingand monitor and sanction anti-competitive behaviour by energy companies

"The Bills would also enhance transparency through the introduction of a new duty for energy companies to publish data on their pricing strategies; addresses the fact that energy companies can set their standing charges."

Moreover, she claimed that  Deputy Daly’s legislation would mandate the energy regulator to "take energy affordability seriously" and "make it their priority, rather than being treated as an afterthought". 

Teachta Ní Raghallaigh concluded by asserting: "It is time our do-nothing government get its act together and end the rip-off."

The Deputy made headlines earlier this week when she expressed concern over a potential Special Needs Assistant crisis — one which she feared could "loom" over Kildare in the near future.

Sinn Féin TD Shónagh Ní Rhallaigh. File photograph

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Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.