“In the current economic climate this is a retrograde step and an unwelcome additional burden on hard pressed families.

“Ireland has one of the highest levels in Europe of ‘excess deaths’ each winter due to fuel poverty.

“Many families face the dilemma of ‘food or fuel’ when faced with a limited, shrinking budget.

“This is happening with the backdrop of Ireland giving away its natural resources, such as the gas field off the coast of Mayo, for practically nothing.

“There is a very poor management of energy in Ireland, and government actions seem to favour industry instead of household consumers.

“The sooner Government introduces a national strategy on energy, the better.

“I am calling for all domestic energy prices to be frozen until such a plan is in place.

“The incremental rise of goods and services has to be tackled if individuals and families are to survive this lengthy recession.”