Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The programme for Government and the revised programme for Government contain a number of interesting ideas. On 1 May the Government introduced the carbon levy on home heating oil. There was, however, a commitment in the programme for Government that relief would be provided to families and households on low incomes in conjunction with the levy. I ask the Taoiseach when this relief will be provided because it was not introduced in conjunction with the levy. A commitment to publish a fuel poverty strategy by the end of 2009 has not been met. When will we see this strategy?

The programme for Government commits to the establishment of an independent electoral commission to do all kinds of things. We have not heard anything about this proposal for some time. When will the commission be established? There was also a commitment on the banning of corporate donations to political parties. When are we likely to see legislation on that issue?

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