Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. On the question of a price cap and what he is suggesting, of course one can make assumptions and predict what is going to happen in the market in the months ahead. The difference between us is that I will not place a bet on the markets with taxpayers' money, which is what Deputy Doherty would be asking us to do. He criticised the interventions that we have made, but at least I can cost them and factor them into our fiscal budgetary plans, which is what we have done. I would be concerned about us intervening and setting a cap, and sending a signal and perhaps even a target price to these companies, which should in fact be reducing the price they charge to consumers.