Latest news with #O'Loughlin
Irish Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Flogas announces energy price rise from August
PEOPLE in Ireland are facing another rise in their energy bills as Flogas has announced a 7% increase in its variable electricity charges, from August 25. The price hike, which is the company's first in three years, will see an average residential customer paying an additional €10.50 per month, or around €125 annually. The increase follows a 15% reduction in Flogas electricity rates last year, but the company says the move is necessary due to significant rises in network charges. Managing Director of Flogas Energy, Sean O'Loughlin, said the decision reflects a 21% increase in network costs that took effect in October 2024, with further increases expected in October 2025. Flogas currently supplies electricity to 43,500 residential customers on variable rates, all of whom will be affected by the change. Customers on fixed-rate electricity plans and those using Flogas for natural gas will not see any price adjustments. This latest announcement comes on the heels of news from EirGrid, which recently announced higher network charges approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. These charges, aimed at funding upgrades and ongoing maintenance of the national grid, are expected to add an average of €8.40 per month, or roughly €100 annually, to people's electricity bills across the country. Flogas has advised customers that changes will apply to both unit rates and standing charges and has encouraged users to consult its website for full details. The company acknowledged the financial burden the increase may pose and is offering a range of supports, including payment plans. O'Loughlin urged customers experiencing financial pressure to reach out to Flogas for assistance, stating the company's customer service team is available to help as much as possible. The announcement adds to growing concerns over the cost of living, as Irish energy users contend with multiple price increases driven by infrastructure demands and regulatory changes. See More: Bills, Cost Of Living, Energy, Flogas
The Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Flogas ups residential electricity prices by 7% from next month
ENERGY SUPPLIER FLOGAS has announced an increase of around 7% in its electricity charges, starting next month. For a residential electricity customer, the changes will mean an increase of around €10.51 a month, €126 annually. It will take effect from 25 August. Residential natural gas customers are unaffected by the change. The company defended the increase, pointing to the hike being its first price increase in three years. Flogas had reduced its rates by 15% last year . Sean O'Loughlin, managing director of Flogas Energy, said the increase was in part due to increase in netowrk charges which are set by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to maintain netwworks. Advertisement 'While we understand that any price change can be challenging for our customers, this announcement reflects a 21% increase in network charges introduced in October 2024, with further increases anticipated in October 2025,' he said. 'We will support affected customers through our customer service team as much as possible and have a range of options, including payment plans, budget plan and pre-payment meters. We would ask any Flogas customer who is facing financial pressure around their energy bills to contact us,' O'Loughlin added. Flogas said it encourages all customers to ensure they are on a discounted contract, and where they have a Smart meter installed, to switch to a Flogas Smart Tariff. Market analysts Bonkers said that while wholesale energy prices have reduced since the height of the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine in 2022, they still remain high. It noted that wholesale prices remain around 80 to 90% above the level they were at before the war broke out. 'On top of this, costs for the upkeep of the electricity grid in particular keep on rising,' Darragh Cassidy of Bonkers said on the increases. 'Around 30% of the price we pay for our electricity and gas goes to Eirgrid and ESB Networks, and Gas Networks Ireland for the upkeep of the electricity and gas networks respectively. 'Households don't see these charges on their bills as they're incorporated into the unit rate as well as the standing charge that we all pay. But these costs have been increasing over the past few years.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Flogas to hike electricity prices from next month
For a typical Flogas residential electricity customer, the changes will mean an increase of around €126 per year or €10.51 a month. This is the second price increase announced for customers this month after EirGrid announced plans that will lead to increased network charges. These increases are partly due to the CRU approving EirGrid's revenue requests for network upgrades and maintenance. The average monthly increase is expected to be around €8.42 from this, which translates to roughly €100 per year, Flogas' increases will take effect from August 25. Residential natural gas customers are unaffected by the change. Flogas says it is their first price increase in three years and follows a 15% reduction in its electricity rates in 2024. Unit rates and Standing charges will be changing and they have advised customers to consult their website for more details. Flogas currently has 43,500 residential electricity customers on variable rates. Residential electricity customers on fixed rates are unaffected. Commenting on the announcement, Sean O'Loughlin, Managing Director, Flogas Energy, said 'While we understand that any price change can be challenging for our customers, this announcement reflects a 21pc increase in network charges introduced in October 2024, with further increases anticipated in October 2025. 'We will support affected customers through our Customer Service team as much as possible and have a range of options, including payment plans, Budget Plan and pre-payment meters. We would ask any Flogas customer who is facing financial pressure around their energy bills to contact us,' O'Loughlin continued.
RTÉ News
07-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
'10% tariffs is not a good answer'
There are just two days to go before the end of a 90 day pause on US President Donald Trump's April 2 Liberation Day tariffs. President Trump said the US is close to finalising several trade pacts in the coming days. In a posting on his Truth Social website, he said the US would start delivering tariff letters later today. An EU-US deal is yet to be agreed, Irish businesses are still in the dark about what tariffs will be imposed, or what reciprocal tariffs might be implemented. Speaking on the This Week programme yesterday, the Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said the "best case" scenario in the EU-US trade talks is that a political framework can be delivered on Tuesday evening. While last week the Tanaiste Simon Harris said US tariffs of 10% will be the "new normal". A 10% baseline that could be structured around a framework deal would not be unprecedented. The US has already agreed on a framework for trade discussions with both the UK and China. This type of mechanism could bring the US and EU to the table and create a little bit of certainty for businesses going forward. However, for businesses more broadly, PwC Global Trade and Customs Partner John O'Loughlin highlights that "10% is not a good answer." "A framework deal where we have 10% really puts certainty around that 10%, where I think businesses have been hoping that 10% may have been somewhat of a stopgap ultimately going down to 0%, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen," said Mr O'Loughlin. "And even if we see carve outs, they can kind of go one of two ways; carve outs can be something that looks towards 0% like we've had with pharma semiconductors since Liberation Day, but I would be fearful that we could have carve outs that have put a rate of duty somewhat higher than 10%. "So the carve outs here don't necessarily move towards 0%, a carve out for certain sectors could potentially mean a rate higher than 10%." Irish businesses that do not trade directly with the US are also likely to be impacted by the wider supply chain impact. While the main focus may be on Irish exporters and importers buying and selling to and from the US, many Irish companies trade globally. Big sectors and private businesses will be managing supply chains. "The Liberation Day tariffs didn't focus on the EU, they focused on every country globally," said Mr O'Loughlin. "We'll be watching over the next couple of days to see what the rates are, obviously for the European Union, but what the impact is for the wider global supply chain, particularly companies that are managing supply chains from Ireland, where products never physically come here or come to the European Union," he said. "This is a global issue and certainly companies need to be looking at that issue through that lens over the next couple of days," he added.
The Journal
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Waterford rise above Clare to offer glimpse of career grand slam for 17-year veteran
The 42 Waterford 2-20 Clare 2-10 SEVENTEEN YEARS AFTER making her inter-county debut, Niamh Rockett scored 1-11 to keep her dream of completing a grand slam of honours alive. A sensational haul of premier junior, intermediate and senior medals remains on the cards after Waterford survived the most searching of tests before stretching away to a 10-point victory over Clare. It was a pulsating Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie quarter-final. At the other end of the field, Vikki Falconer marked her return to Croke Park two years after buckling in the early minutes of the All-Ireland final with what proved to be a cruciate knee ligament injury, by providing an imperious display of defending. The former All-Star was given a bit of trouble early on by Róisín Begley, but by the second half, she was emerging from every ruck going with the sliotar, carrying, finding a teammate, returning to base camp. Don't be fooled by the margin, though. This was a deficit that was harsh on Clare, even if Waterford could have had three or four goals in the first half. That they didn't was down to the goalkeeping of Rachael Daly, who dived full length to save a Beth Carton penalty and made another stop from the industrious Máiréad O'Brien. Abby Flynn was also denied by some last ditch defending by Susan Daly and Clare Hehir, while Sinéad O'Keeffe threw her body on the line to deny Flynn another chance. The Dalys were joined in defence by their triplet sibling Lynda, who recovered from a first-half injury to play well, while their younger sister Jennifer was a constant threat with her pace and scored two points. Meanwhile, Áine O'Loughlin pounced for two goals in the first half, the first an absolute piledriver after Begley found her peeling off Kate Lynch. That was in the 15th minute and eight minutes later, she did really well to grab a low ball, turn and boot a shot in off the far post. Their workrate had Waterford struggling to get out of defence, to set their patterns going and make any real inroads up top. Annie Fitzgerald and Flynn were largely clinical when the opportunity presented itself, while Flynn and Rockett combined well for a couple of scores. It looked hard work for the Déise outfit but a turnover deep in injury time created a two-on-one and when Flynn fed Fitzgerald, the Gaill Tír dynamo made no mistake from close range to give Waterford a 1-11 to 2-5 lead. Advertisement By now, Mick Boland and his brains trust had moved Keeley Corbett Barry back on O'Loughlin, with Lynch sitting in front. Clare went for a Twin Towers approach when bringing on Ellen Casey at the end of the third quarter and the Newmarket-on-Fergus giant had a shot from a free well saved by Brianna O'Regan. O'Loughlin continued to cause trouble but by hook, and maybe sometimes by crook, Waterford kept the Banner skipper at bay. The Waterford captain, Lorraine Bray began to get more into the game with a couple of points at the end of trademark runs were notable, though with a three-on-two overlap, she probably should have made a goal chance out of one of those. Clare Hehir lofted three might frees over the bar from distance for the saffron and blue and it was still all to play for when Rockett exchanged passes with sub Maggie Gostl to goal in the 55th minute. The St Anne's sharpshooter had to stretch but just beat the advancing Rachael Daly to flick to the net and put eight between them. Points from Rockett and Fitzgerald, who blazed just over after somehow working her way in from the endline, made it a double-figure margin, which will have fooled nobody, but for Waterford the key was ensuring a third semi-final appearance in four seasons. Scorers for Waterford: N Rockett 1-11 (0-7fs, 0-1 45); A Fitzgerald 1-2; A Flynn 0-3; L Bray, B Carton 0-2 each. Scorers for Clare: A O'Loughlin 2-0; C Hehir 0-3(fs); A O'Keeffe, J Daly, Z Spillane 0-2 each; C Cahill 0-1. WATERFORD: B O'Regan, R Walsh, K Lynch, V Falconer, B Bowdren, K Corbett Barry, O Hickey. A McNulty, L Bray, E O'Neill, B Carton, A Flynn, N Rockett, M O'Brien, A Fitzgerald. Subs: M Gostl for O'Neill (44); T Power for Hickey (57); M Comerford for Flynn (59); I Heffernan for Corbett Barry (60); A O'Sullivan for O'Brien (60+2). CLARE: R Daly, S O'Keeffe, C Hehir, S Daly, L Daly, A Walsh, D Griffin, N Mulqueen, A Andersen, A O'Keeffe, C Cahill, J Daly, R Begley, A O'Loughlin, Z Spillane. Subs: C Carmody for Spillane (39); E Casey for Andersen (42); G Carmody for A O'Keeffe (57); C Grogan for S Daly, A Cooney for J Daly (58); M Scanlon for Hehir blood (60). Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny) Written by Daragh Ó Conchúir and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
