Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly has called for immediate reintroduction of energy credits, arguing that the Government's measures fail to address high energy prices. He said households face the highest electricity prices in the European Union, nearly 40 percent above the average, with around half a million gas and electricity accounts in arrears.

Daly, who is spokesperson on climate, environment and energy, said grants for heat pumps and solar panels are inaccessible to many because upfront costs remain high. He cited the cost of deep retrofits and heat pump installations at €60,000 to €70,000 for many homes, with grants covering only part of that.

He also criticised the exclusion of some households from solar grants under the Warmer Homes Scheme and social housing tenants from schemes available to better-off homeowners.

On structural issues, Daly said the regulator's approach socialises costs and privatises benefits, with households paying disproportionately toward network and grid costs while data centres contribute less. He announced plans to introduce legislation mandating the regulator to prioritise consumer protection and to ensure data centres pay their fair share.

Daly said Ireland has an estimated 640GW of offshore wind potential but no offshore wind project will be delivered by 2030, according to the Minister.

In a separate statement on climate resilience, Daly drew attention to a Climate Change Advisory Council warning that Ireland remains underprepared for extreme weather events. He said 30 of 54 major flood relief schemes remain stuck at preliminary design stage eight years after major flood risks were identified, with schemes taking an average of 11 years to complete. He noted that the permanent Extreme Weather Event Assistance Scheme promised in the Programme for Government has not been established.

Daly called for investment in flood defences, drainage, early warning systems and resilient infrastructure, and said Sinn Féin's alternative budget commits to accelerating investment in flood protection and coastal erosion measures.