Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Government will spend €40 million on the ESB and Bord Gáis each for putting up new nameplates, letterheads and for new advertising at a time when the country is short of money. Those moneys would be better spent providing some assistance to those families who cannot meet their fuel bills. Those families are being switched off by the two suppliers in question which then charge them €200 to switch off and another €200 to be reconnected.

There is a solution. The Government made a promise in last year's budget for a vouched fuel allowance. It has not yet been introduced. The Government made a commitment there would also be a fuel poverty strategy to deal with the needs of families on low incomes who cannot afford to heat their homes in winter. The Taoiseach should introduce these. Instead of Bord Gáis and the ESB spending €40 million each on putting up new nameplates on their offices, it would be better spent providing for those who are having difficulties meeting their fuel costs.

See this speech in context