Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy will be aware that discussions are ongoing on these matters and as he is well aware, I cannot discuss these issues. The Government understands, notes and is aware of the commitments in the programme for Government but until final decisions are made in budgetary terms, I cannot give any indication in that regard. I should also point out that more than 5,000 jobs have been created in the retrofit industry in addition to the figures I already have outlined. These are new jobs that are coming through in this sector as a result of policies being pursued by the Government. On the question of dealing with fuel poverty, this also is a budgetary matter that will be dealt with in that context.

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