Councillor Patrick Nulty has called on the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, to make a public commitment to deal with the steep increases in electricity prices due in October 2010 and the increases in telecom charges that also come within his remit.

“We cannot have a situation where consumers and businesses are facing these increases alone and unsupported. The 5% increase in electricity will lead to job losses unless remedial action is taken. It has been estimated that a typical SME could be looking at an increase of €8,000 a year, this is insupportable.

“The 2.8% rise in telecom charges flies in the face of all promises made by Minster Ryan that competition would force down costs. Businesses both large and small, are struggling in a ferocious economic climate, yet the Government stays silent about these new challenges facing them.

“We need to know for example will the promised subvention for large energy users actually come into play and if so when. We need to know if this subvention can be available to support consumers and small businesses.

“It is unacceptable that an announcement of such an increase is made in the middle of the holiday period and at a time when this FF/Green Government seems to have disappeared.”