Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy can tell his constituent that we are not facing that era again. Recently, the Government, which has increased the amount of payments to old aged pensioners substantially, increased the fuel, electricity and gas allowances for elderly people. The Deputy can assure his constituent that the Government is cognisant of the effects of high prices on the elderly and those who are less well off.

It is simplistic to say the Government can ignore solutions or the fact that oil and gas prices are increasing. As outlined in the Green Paper, I am interested in reducing the ESB's prices and introducing more competition to the market to compete with the ESB and encourage it to slim down, be more effective and produce cheaper electricity. I hope the Deputy will support this measure.

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