Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

The policy of Fianna Fáil and the Green Party is clear. Powerful multimillionaires get what they want but the poor and the elderly are denied what they need. If there was doubt about the need for change in Irish politics, we have proof positive of the need today.

Many people hoped that, with the new configuration of parties in the Government, we might see a fairer and more compassionate kind of politics but I imagine they are now disillusioned. Sheltering the rich while leaving the poor out in the cold may be an acceptable policy to the Green Party and Fianna Fáil but it is not acceptable to us. I welcome and fully support, on behalf of the Labour Party, this timely motion. I had hoped the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources would ensure acceptance of its content by the Government. Instead, the Government has tabled an amendment. Rarely have I seen such a self-serving and shameful litany of statements that ignore the issue that needs to be addressed; I am not surprised.

The Minister has an extraordinary ability to cocoon himself away from the reality of the daily struggles of many people. He does not see the thousands of people about whom we are talking who simply cannot pay their bills. He does not seem to understand the stress and anxiety they experience. These are the people who go to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the community welfare officer in an effort to manage. However, they are faced with a tsunami of household bills and their problems are becoming more acute.

We know and understand charges for electricity and gas will escalate, as the Minister reminded us again tonight, but this is why we need to see a real response. This winter will be a significant challenge for thousands of people. The Minister's response today was revealing. He spoke about renewables, interconnectors and changing behaviour but did not speak about cutbacks or Government schemes that have collapsed. The Government amendment to the motion congratulates itself on the funding of the local authority adaptation grants for those with disability. In my county and, I believe, others, there is no longer any scheme; it ran out of money months ago. Regrettably and shamefully, in some instances people had grants approved but when they got the relevant work done they discovered the grant simply would not be paid. This is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Let me outline one case in this regard. A grant was approved for an elderly woman in hospital and €30,000 was spent to adapt her house to enable her to go home. When the work was carried out, she asked for the grant to be paid but the cupboard was bare. This is the reality and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible. This is the fuel strategy in place at present. A stressed old lady in hospital in a bed that should be vacated and a small builder on the threat of bankruptcy comprise the reality of fuel poverty in Ireland and the reality of adaptation grants that the Government cites as part of the solution in its countermotion.

These issues do matter, as do the people affected. It is the responsibility of the Government to assist and support them and not just its responsibility to bail out the banks. In terms of the motion before us, there are practical measures that must be adopted if there is to be real improvement. There have been massive increases in electricity and gas bills and fuel prices are an issue for us all.

The problem of fuel costs is much more serious for some than for others. From the Government's point of view, rising costs have made a significant difference. In four years alone, VAT returns on energy have leapt by 50%, from €611 million in 2003 to €970 million in 2007. The figure has increased significantly even since then. The impact on those with low incomes has been disastrous and we therefore must have change and recognise the realities. We must hear the truth from the Minister.

I noted with great interest the Minister's statement today on the role of the energy regulator. Last weekend, I heard him say on radio that he was responsible for ensuring the €300 million the ESB had would be used as a cushion to protect people against escalating costs. I thank the Minister for putting the record straight tonight. The hubris he showed on that programme only feeds people's cynicism and it is to his credit that he has come to the House and set the record straight. The more honesty, the better.

The Labour Party saw we had to do something and last May it published its own legislation, the Fuel Poverty and Energy Conservation Bill. Its purpose is to require the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to implement a strategy and be accountable to the House for both the setting and implementation of the targets. This is the way to proceed because it is important that there be a statutory basis for the strategy to protect the most vulnerable and ensure they achieve their basic rights.

It is important to state that Age Action Ireland has run a campaign on this issue. It has not done so for the good of its health but for the good of the health of those it represents. It desires a significantly increased fuel allowance, proper insulation schemes and the targeting of those who need to be looked after and supported.

Ireland's level of debt in winter is significantly higher than that in many other European countries. This debt can be related to fuel poverty. We either disregard this and simply suggest that it be addressed as part of all the other measures to save the planet or else we recognise that the citizens concerned, who have contributed to society over their lives and have grown old, are not now looked after and protected although we have the resources to do so despite all the economic turmoil.

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