A significant debate has emerged over who should bear the financial burden of repairing widespread damage caused by Storm Éowyn, as Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik strongly opposes the ESB’s suggestion that repair costs will be passed on to consumers through future electricity bills.
The controversy ignited after ESB Chief Executive Paddy Hayes revealed that storm repairs would cost “tens of millions” and indicated these expenses would likely be incorporated into distribution system network costs by 2026. This announcement has sparked immediate pushback from political leaders, with Bacik calling such a move “absolutely unacceptable” and demanding state intervention.
Meanwhile, approximately 13,000 premises remain without power following the devastating storm that initially left 768,000 customers in the dark. The ESB has mobilized an international response, with technicians from six European countries joining over 2,500 local crews in restoration efforts. However, some areas may face extended outages into the weekend.
According to The Journal, the human impact of the storm has been severe, with the Dáil hearing tragic accounts including a reported death related to medical equipment failure during power outages. The current humanitarian assistance scheme has provided modest support, with average payments of just €195.91 to affected homeowners.
Looking ahead, the government has acknowledged the need for improved storm resilience. Minister for Climate and Energy Darragh O’Brien has promised an enhanced Winter 2025 resilience plan within a month. However, critics, including Bacik, argue that the government’s response has been insufficient and call for a more comprehensive extreme weather event assistance scheme.
The situation highlights growing concerns about Ireland’s infrastructure resilience in the face of climate change, with political leaders acknowledging that such extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent, necessitating better preparation and more robust support systems for affected communities.