Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

I do not believe the application by Bord Gáis Energy for an increase of 20% in gas prices and 10% in electricity prices is justified. As the Minister correctly stated, the company has cited global prices as a mitigating factor, despite the fact that the company made €120 million profit last year. The company also admits that many of its customers are in arrears. The obvious knock-on effect of an increase in prices will mean more people will fall into arrears of payment.

When the Minister sat on this side of the House he tabled a Private Members' motion on the issue. Does he intend to fulfil the Labour Party's election commitments to introduce a fuel poverty Bill? Will that Bill include criteria to deal with exorbitant increases such as Bord Gáis's 20% and 10% increases in order to ensure that people on low incomes will have adequate fuel and heating and will not be cut off as has happened to ESB and Bord Gáis customers?

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