Making those with least pay most

Madam, – I fully agree with the the chief executive of the National Consumer Agency, in her description of the ESB’s new proposed…

Madam, – I fully agree with the the chief executive of the National Consumer Agency, in her description of the ESB’s new proposed price cuts as unfair.

Discounts are to be afforded to those whose accounts are not in arrears, but aren’t available to those whose accounts are in arrears.

So if you can afford to pay the full amount of a bill, you won’t be let do so and if you can’t afford to pay the full amount, you will be compelled to!

What is it with this country? I now see that  ESB Electric Ireland, is also entering the gas market. ’Tis gas alright. – Yours, etc,

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NOEL D WALSH,

Headford Road,

Galway.

Madam, – I despair at the prevalence of the mentality that decrees that people who are in arrears with their ESB bills will be punished by not being beneficiaries of the proposed reduction in rates.

It assumes that across the board those who are in arrears have wilfully decided to default. Despite the undoubted existence of some rogues, it is inconceivable that the vast majority of defaulters are not in genuine difficulty in making ends meet.

Are not these the very people that might be encouraged by a reduction in the cost of survival? As a general rule, people least able to pay for essentials always have to pay more.

Shame on the ESB for driving the wedge in even further between those of us who are okay and those who are anything but. – Yours, etc,

PAT CARMODY,

Collinstown,

Mullingar,

Co Westmeath.