Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

On amendment No. 56, when will the White Paper be published? Will it be available before the general election? I am trying to establish in legislation a requirement to continually produce energy reviews. As I noted, with the exception of the document on renewable energy produced during the term of office of the Minister's predecessor, energy moved off the radar for much of the past ten years and consumers paid the penalty.

Amendment No. 49 in the Minister's name proposes to include security of energy supply, sustainability and competitiveness as issues on which he may make policy directions to the commission. It also includes provision for directions to be made on any "such other matter" as he considers appropriate. I fail to understand the reason policy directions should not include setting targets in the area of energy and fuel poverty, as proposed in amendment No. 51.

In a recent report, the Economic and Social Research Institute appeared reluctant to build consideration of fuel poverty into pricing, although it referred to the matter. The Ministers for Finance and Social and Family Affairs must address this issue. In light of the bills and standing charges being imposed on unfortunate consumers — householders, particular vulnerable citizens and businesses — the Minister for Finance should increase the fuel allowance to €45 per week in the next budget. Many vulnerable families need at least this amount to keep their houses warm. One of the Government's most miserable achievements has been its refusal to increase the fuel allowance in most of its budgets.

Energy and fuel poverty is an important issue for our most vulnerable citizens, for whom public representatives have most responsibility and on whom deliberations in the House should be primarily focused. It should be included in some shape or form as one of the areas on which the Minister can issue directives to the commission.

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