Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I approach the issue not as a Government Minister, which the Opposition suggests is in elitist mode, but as a Member elected by and representing the public. To what extent do we respond when energy companies such as the electricity, petrol and diesel suppliers seek or propose an increase? How do we react to that? Do we test it or accept it as being normal? Do we accept the suppliers' word that it is part of the ongoing situation that automatically arises out of the war in Ukraine or do we test it? Are there means of testing it? If so, to what extent do we exercise those means? I have experience of seeing five, six and seven container ships anchored offshore in various heavy ports across Europe waiting. When I inquired about it, I was told they were waiting for the price of energy to rise, which is interesting. In order for us to know how best to deal with the situation, for example, a container ship going askew in the Suez Canal, to what extent do we attribute the fuel price increases to that? Has this been done?