The Daily Star Ireland
Tánaiste Simon Harris has assured the public that Electricity Supply Board (ESB) customers will not bear the financial burden of repairing damages caused by Storm Éowyn. His statement follows controversy surrounding remarks made by ESB Chief Executive Paddy Hayes, which suggested that repair costs would be passed on to consumers.
Controversial ESB Statement Sparks Backlash
Last week, Paddy Hayes appeared on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, where he indicated that the costs incurred from Storm Éowyn would likely be reflected in electricity charges.
“There is a cost associated with this that will ultimately be borne across the electricity network as a whole,” Hayes stated, describing the storm as one of the most destructive in Irish history.
He also pointed out that storm-related outages do not qualify for compensation, explaining that public service levies do not apply during extreme weather events.
Following criticism, Tánaiste Simon Harris described Hayes’ comments as insensitive, though he acknowledged that the ESB executive has since recognized the poor timing and tone of his remarks.
Government Rejects Passing Costs to Consumers
During a Dáil session, Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty, pressed the Government to prevent ESB from increasing prices to cover the repair expenses. He emphasized that rural communities, in particular, were left to fend for themselves in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, which struck Ireland on January 24, causing widespread devastation.
At the peak of the storm, over 770,000 homes and businesses lost power, making it one of the most severe weather-related blackouts in recent memory.
Power Fully Restored, but Compensation Remains Uncertain
On Tuesday, ESB Networks confirmed that electricity had been restored to all affected customers. However, concerns remain over whether those who endured power outages for up to two weeks will be compensated.
Pearse Doherty insisted that ESB should be held accountable and should provide compensation for affected households, urging the Government to intervene and prevent a price hike on already burdened consumers.
“We expect the ESB to start compensating people,” Doherty asserted, stressing that customers should not be made to pay for infrastructure repairs following a natural disaster.
With public frustration mounting, the Government will likely face continued pressure to ensure accountability from the ESB while addressing the financial and infrastructural challenges posed by extreme weather events.
As discussions continue, the focus remains on protecting consumers from potential price increases while ensuring that future storm response strategies prioritize rural and vulnerable communities.
