Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I acknowledge that the forum on 1 March will be welcomed by Shannon LNG. However, the mantra of this Government for the past 12 months is that we want to create jobs for our people and that we want to do everything in our power to make sure we reduce the unacceptable number of more than 400,000 people on the live register. Quite frankly, there needs to be greater intervention by the Minister in this matter. I do not feel it is good enough for him to come in here and tell us this is a matter for the energy regulator. He needs to directly intervene in this and guarantee these jobs for north Kerry.

This is a crucial matter for us. We need certainty as does the company. Our international reputation is at stake. When a company has expressed so much interest in our country and has already invested so much money, the Government needs to welcome that interest and show of solidarity with the Irish people. That is what I am asking the Minister to do.

An increased supply on the market surely should be good for competition rather than bad for competition. That is something that should be borne in mind.

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