Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before the committee. Yesterday, a far older, wiser and more experienced colleague of ours stated that there are political forces whose role is to find conflict as opposed to identifying ways to collaborate to solve problems. Those forces are on display at this committee. Regarding the €300 million in grant funding the Minister mentioned, will the he communicate with the committee by email or letter and provide more information on the sectors that are going to be targeted? The Minister mentioned concrete, but I am sure there are other sectors in play.

I want of focus on the SME sector, specifically in the context of the decarbonisation plan the Minister referred to that is to be published shortly. Of late, one of the things I have observed, particularly in the context of the cost-of-living crisis being felt across the country, is the pressure being placed on the SME sector. There are significant supports available, including the €4,000 energy grant that is being allocated for small businesses. Will the Minister provide more information on the sort of framework the decarbonisation plan will contain in order to try to support businesses in lowering costs, while also reducing their emissions and, I presume, aiming to make their operations net zero? What will the Department be doing to support the achievement of these aims?