Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

The Minister is correct. We should be realistic in considering what we can do about emissions. We can develop the alternative energy sector and invest in it. This sector should not be developed by way of increasing the price of all fuels so that it becomes impossible to live in the country. The Minister knows well there is serious doubt about what is happening at present. He will not admit it in the House but he knows it in his heart of hearts. It was decided in the past two or three months to increase gas and electricity prices, allegedly, to encourage more people into the business and against the backdrop of internationally falling prices. At every opportunity the Government is putting forward the notion that these increases might be reviewed and that this might be a good time to do so. This is nonsense. It is quite obvious that if they were that wrong the first time, they will be wrong the second time and any reduction by way of 5% will not be accepted or acceptable, nor should it be, because the increase should never have been made in the first place. There should be an end to the nonsense and the issue should be dealt with in a realistic way.

I have become increasingly sickened in recent times that whenever one raises a question on energy or many other issues, the response is that the Minister is not responsible to the House. It should be restated and condensed to say that the Minister is no longer responsible, full stop. When we ask a question, we are entitled to an answer but the response is that the Minister is no longer responsible. Of course we know he is no longer responsible. Ministers have sought the opportunity to go around with their heads in the air, speaking on television and by means of news broadcasting services and they have failed to recognise that they are responsible to this House for every aspect of the legislation they put through the House in the past or proposed legislation. I reject in its entirety the notion that the Minister has no responsibility. The Minister has responsibility and the regulator and Minister between them have joint responsibilities regarding the appalling gas and electricity price increases they promoted in the past months. I ask that both of them come forward with the revised decision as quickly as possible which will be much welcomed. I regret we do not have more time to deal with this particularly important issue.

I wish to make a final point about transport. Much has been said about alternative transport. The public will use alternative transport if it is there for them and if it is properly located. I do not accept the notion that buses will be the ultimate answer. I regard rail transport, especially in the environs of a city, as the answer. I am not suggesting that more trains be put on the already crowded streets, on the basis that if it is made impossible for people to travel on the roads, there will be nothing left for them. This is a rather peculiar attitude. Trains should be deployed to provide maximum availability to the travelling public and it will be seen how well they will be utilised by the public.

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