Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I am pleased that Fianna Fáil Deputies seem to have discovered there is an issue of fuel poverty which has existed for many years, given that their party made the problem worse in previous budgets by reducing social welfare payments and increasing fuel prices through carbon taxes. The proposal to address the issue in this legislation has merit. The amendments have been deemed out of order, but I appeal to the Minister to address the issue in the context of budget 2012.

The Government is committed to increasing carbon taxes, but there should be a proper analysis of the impact of such increases on those struggling to heat their homes on a daily basis. We all heard the horror stories on radio programmes last winter. It is incredible, as we sit in this Chamber, to think there are people who have endured very cold, wintry days and nights without any heating or with heat being rationed to a severe extent. I ask for some type of analysis to inform decision making in regard to the commitment the Government has given, as part of the EU-IMF programme entered into by the previous Government, to increase carbon taxes and the effect thereof on fuel poverty. This assessment should be published so that we can make an informed decision in the context of the finance Bill that will give effect to budget 2012.

See this speech in context