Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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The scheme would cost in the region of €25 billion. I would never argue that the Government has brought forward a scheme that had a price tag of €25 billion. The price tag was €1.2 billion. The reason is there were assumptions built into it with regard to the likely cost, by looking at where energy prices are. We know that TBESS did not cost a fraction of that. Only €40 million was drawn down. However, this is done in countries throughout Europe. There are ways of doing it. Some countries do not have a cap but if a country wants to put a cap on it, it can do so to make sure the upper limit does not go above a certain amount. There is, therefore, a way of doing it. The problem boils down to this. Energy prices are sky high. The credits are gone and the bills are still rolling in. The cost-of-living crisis is real and there is no further support for these households. However, half of the Minister's colleagues in the Eurogroup have introduced measures, some of them a couple of weeks ago.

Conservative Governments, such as in Germany, just introduced this a number of weeks ago and are saying that they are providing certainty to their citizens. It is a major mistake not to do the same here.

This section deals with hospitality and tourism. It is clear from the publication of the advice that the Department was opposed to the extension of the 9% VAT rate. It stated it would have a marginal impact on inflation. The Minister is familiar with the arguments it made. I have always made the case that the Minister should have the entitlement and the right to make a decision, bearing in mind the advice that comes from officials. Given that his officials are of the view that there is no economic case for extending the reduced 9% VAT rate, including the impacts of inflation, and that there was a decision to extend it, will the Minister talk to us about his consideration for doing so?