Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"recognises:

that the Government has a long-term strategy, as set out in the Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 and in the programme for Government, to reduce our dependence on imported and finite fossil fuel sources through delivering greater energy efficiency and increasing our use of renewable resources in the electricity, heat and transport sectors;

that the actions to deliver this long-term strategy in relation to the energy sector include the delivery by SEI of a range of schemes to enable domestic, commercial and industrial consumers to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels;

that the Minister for Transport has concluded the consultation phase on a paper on a sustainable travel and transport action plan that is due for completion shortly;

that the social welfare fuel allowance programmes are aimed at those on lower incomes that are most vulnerable to fuel poverty;

that the ESB has put in place a new €22 billion strategic framework up to 2020 that will see a major investment in renewable energy, a halving of its carbon emissions within 12 years, and the achievement of zero net carbon emissions by 2035;

that the issue of windfall gains to electricity generating companies that arise as a result of the free allocation of carbon allowances under the European Union's emissions trading scheme is a complex one that faces all EU member states;

that this issue is subject to ongoing examination by the Department of Finance and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources;

that negotiations are currently taking place at EU level which will remove the possibility of free allowances after 2012; and

that a one percentage point reduction in the reduced VAT rate would cost the Exchequer €396 million in a full year and have little impact on prices;

in view of the ongoing challenges in relation to the economy, calls on the Government:

to continue to implement the stability-oriented fiscal policies that have underpinned the success of the Irish economy over the last decade; and within that context, to bring forward whatever policies are necessary to promote future economic success at the appropriate time within the annual budget cycle."

I propose to share time with Deputies undisclosed.

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