John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Incredibly, we were told that the ESB and Bord Gais had booked most of their fuel requirements at peak price for the coming six months and therefore were not in a position to pass on the reductions quickly. Why did this rule not apply when prices for the consumer rocketed within weeks of increases in world prices earlier in the summer? Last summer, people paid €1.40 per litre for petrol when the price of a barrel was €150. Today's price is approximately €40 which means we should be paying €0.47 per litre if it were related to global prices as our economic problems have been related to global difficulties.

I listened to the Ministers for Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment earlier today and I have listened to Government Deputies up and down the country blaming our present economic woes and difficulties on the global economy. How can they ask the people of Ireland to believe this when they do not ensure the benefits of reductions in global oil prices are not passed on to the man and woman in the street and to the business community? This is an opportunity to give some good news and help restore competitiveness which is an essential requirement if we are to get the economy moving.

I have information on other figures but I do not have time to discuss them. With regard to energy prices, particularly the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps, last weekend in Mayo there was a variation of up to €0.13 per litre in the prices of petrol and diesel. I do not blame the petrol pump owners for the huge anomalies. Many small businesses and corner shops tell me they must pay more to their suppliers than it can be bought for at the Tescos of this country. Whatever needs to be done to get an even playing field needs to be done.

Deputy Calleary mentioned the corrib gas forum. I agree with him on this point. More than 1,000 people are employed in the Corrib Gas field at present. I could not imagine the wasteland this area would be if these jobs were not there. Many mistakes have been made and people's views have been trampled on over the past number of years. This forum is an opportunity and I hope all opinions will be taken into account and that we find a way to bring the gas ashore for the benefit of the people of Ireland and the people of Erris and Mayo.

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