Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At least we knew what we were having to fund by way of an Exchequer intervention. The Deputy referred to the windfall tax. I heard my predecessor on a number of occasions make the point that the most effective way to do this was through the EU, and having an EU agreement. That agreement was reached last autumn and we are now legislating for it. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has brought the Bill to Cabinet. It is going through the committee and will go through the Oireachtas. The solidarity contribution from the fossil fuel companies and contribution from the non-gas electricity generators will provide resources for the State. Some of that will be this year and some of it will be next year. The commitment we have given is that it will go back to the users in one form or other, whether through Government intervention or reduced network charges. However, I do not support the idea that we should step in and put an actual cap on the price that people should pay. I cannot cost that.