Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, which has broad cross-party support. The key objective of the legislation is to reduce energy demand through a targeted programme which will place energy efficiency obligations on energy suppliers and distributors. This is very welcome.

Some time ago, people visited my constituency office to seek primary legislation concerning the pension entitlements of Bord Gáis Éireann employees who transferred to GasLink and, equally, those who transferred from the ESB and ESB Networks to EirGrid.

The energy efficiency obligation scheme for energy suppliers and distributors has the potential to result in significant savings for consumers. Ultimately, it has the potential to reduce national energy consumption and associated carbon emissions. While the legislation seems fairly straightforward, it ticks several very important boxes that the Government and country have been trying to tick, there will be an Exchequer cost but the cost-benefit analyses in Ireland and abroad suggest this will be outweighed significantly by the benefits.

The first benefit relates to competition. Yesterday and today, the House considered legislation on cartels and the encouragement of competition in the economy. Welcome data published recently show Ireland's competitiveness has been improving steadily over recent months. This is crucial to encouraging foreign direct investment. Reductions in the cost of energy, particularly for businesses, have lagged behind other reductions. I very much welcome the fact that this Bill may, in a significant way over time, add to the competitiveness bundle we are trying to achieve. The bundle includes other reduced costs associated with doing business in the State.

The Bill refers to the Government's energy efficiency target of achieving energy savings in the order of 20% by 2020. It will ensure compliance with EU legislation and that competitiveness is supported. It will provide a robust electricity and gas safety regime. We should all be extremely concerned about safety.

I welcome the manner in which the Bill will help those who are less well off. Energy affordability and health and comfort levels of vulnerable members of society must be borne in mind. The programme will assist by prioritising energy upgrades for those on low incomes. This will be written into the targets to be imposed on energy suppliers. Suppliers will be compelled to meet the targets, which may not have been the case to date. The Bill will have other direct consequences for socially excluded and vulnerable groups.

I noted the interaction between Deputy Mattie McGrath and my colleague Deputy Buttimer. There is no doubt that there will be an environmental benefit to the Bill. The reduction in energy consumption will result in reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, was very much welcome to me, a Member representing a constituency that is half rural. I agree with Deputy Buttimer's point that it is not really possible to criticise the former Minister, Mr. John Gormley, for what he did and also seek to criticise the current Minister for doing the exact opposite. This is a ridiculous argument and anybody would be forgiven for reacting to it.

Like many of our semi-State bodies, the energy companies have continued to serve this country extremely well. In these difficult times, there remains the potential to obtain more benefits from them. The companies make profits, they have reserves and have great technical experience, and they have very well-qualified engineers and other technical staff. Their experience can be used to a greater extent.

Let me refer to the Hibernia Atlantic cable that is to extend from London to New York. It offers the potential for tier-1 connectivity into what might be described as the western corridor. I am aware that negotiations are ongoing in this regard and do not want to refer to the matter specifically; suffice it to say we should seek to determine how existing large semi-State companies could develop new and more energy-efficient forms of energy supply. I refer also to initiatives such as the provision of broadband connectivity. The companies in question are some of the few in our economy that have access to the capital required to carry out the projects to which I refer. I do not expect the Minister of State to comment on this but to take my points on board.

Deputies referred to those who are in difficulty paying their utility bills. The pay-as-you-go metering that has been rolled out has been of great benefit. I encourage the energy companies to become aware that there are people who are unable to pay. It is not that they do not want to pay. This has been addressed on many occasions.

I very much regard this legislation as part of a joined-up government approach to a large number of issues that have started to arise. It marries well with the competition legislation dealt with yesterday and today, which legislation is to improve our international competitiveness through combating monopolies and cartels. It is remarkable that, after years of inaction, such steady steps can and will return this country to the position to which we know it can be returned. I refer to an economy that is competitive, dynamic and efficient. While this Bill is a small block in that building process, it is definitely a step in the right direction. I compliment the Minister of State and encourage him to keep his eye on the potential of a company such as Bord Gáis with regard to my native county, Cork, and with regard to linking into a broadband cable at some time in the near future.

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