GOVNMENT SHOULD RETURN €77M DIVIDEND TO EASE PRESSURE ON ESB PRICES
The Labour Party Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Ruairi Quinn has urged the government to forfeit the €77m it is due to take in dividend payments from the ESB this year, in order to reduce the pressure on electricity prices.

“This is the fifth year in succession in which consumers have faced increases in ESB charges that have been well ahead of the rate of inflation. IBEC recently pointed out that prior to these latest increases commercial users had seen energy costs jump by 30% since 2003. The price increase for gas announced today is one of the biggest ever. These latest increases will create huge problems for high-energy users, such as those in the hi-tech area.

“I accept that the ESB and Bord Gáis have faced a very difficult situation arising from the substantial increase in oil and gas prices over recent months and that there is little that the government can do about this. But there is one area over which the government has direct control and where it could make a significant contribution to easing pressure on both companies. Over the past three years the government has taken €174m in dividend payments from the ESB, with smaller amounts taken from Bord Gáis. This year it is due to take a further €77m from the ESB and €10m from Bord Gáis. With government coffers awash with money, the €77m they are taking from the ESB will make little or no difference to the overall Exchequer position. But if the ESB were to be allowed to retain this money it would reduce the need for such a major increase and ease the pressure for future increases.”

MAKING VOTING EASIER FOR PEOPLE
Jim O’Callaghan, Fianna Fáil Dublin South East candidate, has called on the Minister for the Environment to make it easier for the electorate to vote in Dáil elections by increasing polling to two days.

“I propose a plan that allows greater numbers to vote and would halt the declining participation rates in Dáil elections. This plan would prevent the disenfranchisement of people who are away on business or travelling away from their home. The times of voting would be the same as present– 8am to 10pm, but the public would be allowed to vote over two days instead of one. Further, the elections should be held over a weekend so as not to disrupt schools,” O’Callaghan said.

NO SEX SHOP BESIDE CHILDREN'S CULTURE CENTRE
“It’s a disgrace that the proposed Sex shop in Temple Bar is due to be opened on Eustace Street beside the Ark, the county’s biggest cultural centre for children. Over 40,000 primary school children go to the centre each year,” said Cllr. Kevin Humphreys.
“I will be calling of the new City Manager, John Tierney, to bring forward a variation of the City’s Development to prohibit sex shops from being located beside playgrounds, schools, toy-stores and other businesses that cater for children,” said Councillor Humphreys.

TODAY’S AN POST DEAL A SHAM AS POST OFFICES CLOSE ALL OVER DUBLIN
Cllr. Lucinda Creighton (FG) has described as a sham the deal between An Post and the Belgian/Dutch international financial services company, Fortis, to introduce high-tech financial services, in light of multiple post office closures in the capital. An Post, a state-funded body, is supposed to provide an accessible, user-friendly service to Irish citizens. However, in recent years it has dramatically scaled back on post offices, forcing people to travel long distances in order to avail of its most basic services. Lucinda stated: “Today’s announcement is an insult to people and shows An Post’s determination to try to dupe people into believing it provides an adequate service. This deal to introduce retail banking products and services is of no value to the people who rely on basic post office functions, particularly the elderly.”