Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I did not expect to be first, but I am willing to speak now.

All members of the committee - from both Government and Opposition sides - are aware of the issues. Representatives from the CRU, EirGrid and the Department have appeared before the committee a number of times and have answered all our questions. They have been straightforward and upfront with us on all the issues over the past 18 months. That is a matter of public record.

My first questions are for the Minister. What specific actions have been taken to address these security concerns over the past 18 months? We need to bring much more attention to the cost of electricity and gas because that is the biggest concern for people. The problem with the conflation is that people are assuming that the energy demands will have a knock-on impact on the costs, whereas I understand those costs are international. What measures should we take to help people with the cost of electricity, which, as the Minister has already said, will be 14 times the amount we have seen over the last ten years unless we do more? I know we have put in €2.5 billion, but more is required, including, perhaps, a windfall tax and other measures.

The witnesses have already alluded to this. How does Ireland compare internationally on security and cost? We sometimes feel this issue is only being felt in Ireland. It is important to point out that we are dealing with an international market and we are dealing with a war. We need to be honest with people about the impact of war.