Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms O'Sullivan. The reason this meeting is taking place before the summer recess is the budget cycle has been changed, with the budget now being presented in October instead of December. Another significant aspect this year is that, having exited the bailout programme, Ireland, like other member states in the eurozone, has country-specific recommendations. I invite the delegates to bear in mind these recommendations when responding to questions. Questions will be grouped. If that is agreeable, I encourage members to keep their questions brief and delegates to reply coherently. I will begin with Mr. Claffey. I am very interested to hear Irish Rural Link's views on the rural fuel poverty strategy and how it would work.